WARS IN THE WORLD

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 August 1920, Page 5

WARS IN THE WORLD

A SERIOUS POSITION

ALLIES Aln'D RUSSIA

WILL WAR EVENTUATE ?

HELSINGFORS, August 6.

A Soviet newspaper states fae hundred officials ana doctors in the Army Medical Department have been arrested for accepting bribes totalling fifty million rouoles to grant exemption certificates for military service.

Forty-four, including eight doctors have been condemned to death. LONDON, August 7.

Kameneff and Krassin had anotherinterview with Mr. Lloyd George. The "Evening Standard" understands that the Allies, will accept the Soviet Note, and the London Conference will be held. Germany and the Russian border States being represented.

WARSAW, August 6. The Polish resistance is stiffening. The Reds are still advancing. PARIS, August 7."

"Le Temps" Warsaw correspondent telegraphs that General Weygand has offered, subject to certain conditions to undertake the command of the Polish Army.

LONDON, August 7. Von Simons, Foreign Minister, *n the Reichstag, said that Germany was now threatened with great dangers of invasion not only from the East but also from the West. But Germany would uphold her declaration of neutrality, and she wo.uM d : sarm any invader. He would not actually maintain that the Allies intended to traverse Germany to get to Poland with troops, but they (Germany) had to reckon on this possibility. He hoped they would be able to maintain their neutrality without the use of force.

LONDON. August 6 The Polish Charge D'Affairs in Lor, don has issued a statement denying the Russian allegations that Poland is deliberately delaying the armistice in the hope of securing the Entente's assistance. 1

COPENHAGEN, August T. The Bolsheviks are sending groat numbers of Russians, who formerly wore war prisoners in Germany into East Prussia for propaganda purposes. The German authorities have interned them. It is said the soldiers declare there is a groat famine everywhere behind the Boishevik front. WRANGEL AND SOVIET. LONDON, August 6. The "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent with General Wrangel states the Bolsheviks have greatly strengthened their 13th Army with *a view to delivering a smashing blow, but after eight days' stubborn fighting the Dods were completely defeated by him, losing four thousand, who were taken prisoners, besides a great quantity of guns and material. Wrangel says he is pursuing the enemy wlio are disorganised greatly. LONDON, August 6. M. Kameno'f has sent Mr. Lloyd George a communication from the Soviet Government, stating that Lord Curzon's Note of July 20th, and the Polish Foreign Minister's-telegram to Moscow of July 22nd, both proposed negotiations for an armistice and peace, uut when the Pol'sh delegates, arrived at Baranovitch it was found that they Were empowered to deal only with military problems, and their limited powers did not correspond to the tasks with which the conference was to deal. M. Kaminoff s Note adds : "It is essential to demand guarantees for such as the partial disarmament of Poland ; and for a cessation of recruiting, which would" prevent Poland using the period of the armistice for a renewal of hostilities.

He points out that international law in nowise required a suspension of opsrations before the conclusion of an armistice. The continuance of the Bolshevik advance in Poland would iu nowise prejudice the nature of the Peace Treaty. The Note concluded by renewing ths Soviet's pledge with respect to Poland's independence to grant her even wider frontier than those indicated by the Allied Supreme Council and by the British Note of the 28th.

The Note insists that the proposed London International Conference shall be solely between Soviet Russia and the leading Entente Powers. (Received this'day at 11.45 a.m.) PARIS, August 7.

Newspapers state that Germany addressed a third Note to the Entente concerning the necessity for defending East Prussia. The Note declares that with the object of maintaining order a militia force has spontaneously formed itself in the vicinity of the frontier and the Government had taken over the f:>rce, centralising its organisation. The Note reiterates request for sanction to despatch troops to the frontier in view of the departure of certain Allied contingents. OTTAWA, August 7. The Imperial Army officers at Toronto have received official cables asking if they are willing to serve again in a war.

It is presumed these inquiries are being made from London with a view possibly to Britain starting a military campaign against Soviet Russia.

LONDON, August. 6. The Admiralty annoiinces that it can establish an airtight blockade of Russia in 12 hours. Mr Lloyd George and M. Millerand met on Saturday at .Boulogne to consider a future policy. WASHINGTON, August 7. President Wilson conferred with Mr Colby (Secretary for State) and Mr Davis (UnderSecretary) regarding the Polish situation. There is a strong desire here to have Vne, United States Government's aid in stopping the Bolshevist advance. It is generally believed, however, that Congress will not enact any legislation authorising the use of American forces against Vne Bolshevists unless public sentiment-is aroused on behalf of the Poles. Officials are deeply depressed over the situation which, it is considered, again threatens world's*peace. CHICAGO, August 6. •

Due to the reports that\there is n probability of n i'ew war between the Allies nml "Russia, there have been new sharp in th« price ?f wheat here: Therefjnl+s m >f> that T)eee)nb"r whent h.°.i pnl.l at ?-ir, and March at 247 cents a bushel.

LABOUR PARTY'S ATTITUDE LONDON, August 7. The Labour Party, in a manifestol, points out the workers are justified. in refusing to assist in any war in support of Poland, wliick had attempted conquest and aggression for self-aggrandise-ment. Therefore, it warns foreign Governments that British Labour will not co-operate with Poland against whose conduct Mr Lloyd George has repeatedly issued warnings. LONDON", August 6. Labour oi\ga.nisations propose a conference in London as a protest against war with Russia. Already there have been sectional protests, notably from the Portsmouth dockyard men and Glasgow trade unionists. It is believed that Labour will be more united in this matter than in any previous political or international question. LLOYD GEORGE MEETS RUSSIAN. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received Aug. 8, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, August 6. M. Ivameneff had an interview with Mr Lloyd George, lasting

five hours. The result was communicated to Moscow, whence a reply is expected on Sunday, when Mr Lloyd George meets M. Miller and. Received this dav at 11.30 a.m. LONDON, August 8. Mr Lloyd George, in high spirits, welcomed M. Millerand and Marshal Foeh at Hythe. The Mayor's daughter, following the French custom, presented each visitor as he landed, with a bouquet of carnations. Earl Curzen, Admiral Beatty and the Mayors of Folkestone and Hythe were present. A huge crowd acclaimed the visitors as they proceeded to Lympne for the conference. A Geneva message states that Ciolliti will shortly confer with Mr Lloyd George in Switzerland oa the Russo-Polish question. • LONDON, August 7. The War Office has reason to believe that the Arabs are treating the British prisoners well. LONDON, August 7. Official circles are more hopeful regarding the outcome of Kameneffs interview with Mr Lloyd George, and that the Hythe conference will produce the solution of the Polish situation. _ WARSAW, August 7. Notwithstanding the proximity or the enemy the city is appreciably calm. There has been a great infius of visitors, and hotels are crowded. Many troop trams are hurrying to the front, and the

soldiers are in the highest spirits. There is a feeling- that negotiations at Minsk will be unsuccessful, and that Poland must throw in her whole weight against the enemy. Received this day at 11.45 a.m. LOIsTDOX August B'. The "Central J\ 7 ews" states that the Russians did not agree to a ten days' truce with Poland. The Soviet's official reply states that it is resuming on Wednesday direct negotiations with Poland for an armistice and peace. The Soviet blames Poland for the long delay. ROME, August 7. Sforza, i nthe Chamber, discussing- the Saint German peace, declared that the blockade had been of greater advantage to the Soviet Government than to the Ertente owing* to the moral effect upon the Russians. Italians should sympathise with the communistic experiment in Russia, which must be allowed to take its own course, and prove its own strength or inability to continue, and must not be given the honour of martyrdom. For these reasons Italy entered into an agreement to receive the Russian representative and to send an Italian to Russia to promote the economic development of both countries. BERLIN", August 7. The Polish Government arrived

at Cracow. The Russians have been shelling the outer forts of the north side of Warsaw since Friday, Polish batteries reluming the fire. WASHINGTON, August 7. The expected announcement outlining the United Stares policy concerning Poland and Russia, will be resumed shortly. It is believed that America will look askance upon any decision by the conference, M.- Millerand and Mr Lloyd George to make war on the Soviet within the boundaries of Russia. The United States, however, will sympathise with the decision to give aid to Poland. The American Government feels that opposition ■would develop here

should an attempt be made'to have the United States participate in a .European war. Official circles point out that any movement that would injure the integrity of Russia won hi not receive the support of the United States, and the British recognition of Esthonia, therefore,, is considered a mistake. BLOCKADE FORESHADOWED (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received this day at 10.45 a.m. LONDON, August 8. An Exchange telegraph message confirms the report of the Bolsheviks' unwillingness to accept the. British proposals, and foreshadows a blockade unless they are accepted »within fortyeight hours. Received this dav at 11.5 a.m. WARSAW, August 7. The Legations have left, and the Government is preparing to leave. LONDON, August 8. The "Sunday Express" says that the British Government has asked Russia to agree to a ten days' truce with Poland .while the armistice negotiations take place.

SOVIET'S OFFER. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) Received this .day at 10,35 a.m. LONDON, August 8. The Soviet delegation in London announces that it informed tiie British Government last week that Russia undertakes to begin the withdrawal of troops- to a line fixed b}* the Allied Supreme Council immediately after Poland's acceptance of the armistice terms, dealing principally with a reduction of Poland's armed strength. Russia also undertakes to considerably reduce the Soviet troops holding* this line, provided the Allies, particularly France, undertake not *o support any advance against Russia on any front and arranges for the withdrawal of General Wrangel's Army fron. the Crimea. POLISH SOCIALISTS' PLEA. (Received this dav af 11.25 a.m.") LONDON, August 7. Polish Socialists issued ah impassioned counterblast to the anti-Polish manifestoes of the British-and other Labourites imploring them: to oppose the National murder which is being perpetrated on Poland by the Red Army, whose object is the ruin of the C-.-. J J _ r • —l-1 __ "L _ i 1

independence of neighbours, as had already been done to Lithuania and the Ukraine. "'Who dares," they say, '*to reproach the Polish Socialists for wishing to save the independence of their country." POLISH COUNTER ATTACK^ (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received this day at 1.10 p.m.) LONDON, August 7. A Polish communique suggests that a Polish countermove continues in the neighbourhood of Drobeizyu to gain ground and succeeded in driving back the enemy, who crossed the Bug again to the north bank. Particularly fierce fighting took place at the River Sereth The Bolshevik attacks were repulsed while the Ukrainian detachments succesfully continue to counter-attack; A communique declares that the town of Brody was completely sacked by the Bolsheviks. Relations between the Germans and the Poles at Dantzig are becoming more strained, following on the decision of German workmen not to d scharge vessels bringing munitions for Poland. The Poles in Pomerania, including the railway men, have now ceased 'to transport food supplies to Dantzig from Poland. The stoppage which is complete will, it is feared, lead to the suspension of industries, and an economic crisis at Warsaw. it is officially alleged that the Moscow wireless station twice declined to-re-ceive the latest Polish Note on. the pretext, firstly of an alteration in tiie hours for the reception of messages and se.ondly atmospheric disturbances, which the Poles state are non-existent.

LABOUR AND BOLSHEVISM. [Australian and N'.Z. Cable Association, 1 (Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) GENEVA, August 7. The final sitting of the Labour Congress was marked by a series of speeches from leaders of the British, Belgian, Dutch and German delegations, denouncing Bolshe\ism and reaffirming the principles of social democracy which meant the peaceable transformation of society wh Ist Bolshevism advocates terrorism and violence. Congress appointed Mr. Arthur Henderso'.i president of the new international exe cutive and Huystems, secretary. STRIKE THREAT. (Australian and N-Z, Cable Association.) LONDON, August 7. The International Miners' Congress (Mr. Smillie presiding), concluded by passing a resolution that the miners endeavour to organise a universal general strike in the event of a threat of future war, and also unanimously pass.d a resolution dwelling on essentialness of nationalisation' of the mines as a step towards economic reorganisation. The world executive instructed that a report be prepared within a month upon the steps to secure nationalisation, and even,' if necessary, to declare a general international miners' str.ke. (Received this day at 1.20 a.m.)

LONDON, August 8. The Soviet Note which the Alliel (Conference is considering states 'jiat the announcement of Poland's belated decision to resume the negotiations for an armistice and the peace preliminaries, which were brSfcen off, at Baronovitch reached Moscow half an hour before the British request for a .truce. The Soviet Government immediately replied arranging for a meeting of the armistice delegations at Minsk on "Wednesday. The Note adds that the Soviet Government believes that the British Government will acknowledge the cessation of hostilities and Poland's full independence at which the British Government a ins, will* be attained in the speediest simplest way bj T the direct negotiations resuming at Minsk.