WARS IN THE WORLD

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 August 1920, Page 5

WARS IN THE WORLD

TROOPS SIDETRACKED

AMERICAN, INTERESTS

AT WARSAW'S GATES,

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

Received this day at 8.35 a.m. BERLIN, August 16

Siiesian newspaper reports state that German workmen, in order to enforce their demand that the movement of th< Allied troops ' should ce-ise jduring tha Russq-Polish war, sidetracked a number of French troop trains in Upper Silesia and placed guards over them to prevent them from proceeding. Received this day at 11.10 a.m. LONDON, August 16. Mr Lloyd George told the House of Commons that the Government had notified General Wrarigel that he mast'make further attacks oa his own responsibility. Since then General Wrangel had carried out operations, and consequently the re-

sponsibility was his. A message from Warsaw reports that the Poles have recaptured Radzymin, fifteen miles north-east of the capital. Received this day at 1.20 p.m. WASHINGTON, August 16.

The cruiser Pittsburg and a destroyer have been ordered to the Baltic from Cherbourg to protect American interests.

LONDON, August 15. A. great battle is reported to have started at the gates of Warsaw.

The "Daily Chronicle" correspondent at Warsaw reports that when the Polish Army's retreat upon its defensive positions became known, the result was a great exodus from Warsaw. Hotels, cafes, and business centres were strangely deserted. Only some few diplomatic representatives, remained. The Italian Minister and the Papal Nuncio and the others have gone to Posen.

Thither the Polish Government intends also to go if it becomes necessary to evacuate within the city the prepared positions where the Poles await the Bolshevik attack. This may be either frontally against the bridge or by an outflanking move across the river Vistula. «

The Polish military circles believe that a Red frontal attack can be shattered. In this event the Poles will advance.

It also is believed by the Poles that an advance will be their best reply tu an outflanking movement. The Posen Polish regiments . are mainly responsible for the construction of the Polish defences. They formerly were in the German Army. They have done tlieir work extremely efficiently.

Much now depends upon the leadershin. Hitherto the Polish troops have suffered through a lack of. co-operation between their officers and certain French officers who are attached to various commands.

The principal centres of military activity are now the bridge heads, ■where there is much movement of finely mounted cavalry. The most notable Polish figure is a bare-headed woman. ■

Owing to the censorship and the ces. sation of Parliamentary proceedings in Poland, it is difficult to leam \vh.°! is transpiring politically, but there is little doubt that Romen Donowi.ski aims at overthrowing the Polish Government. He delivered a speech at Posen on Thursday demanding many reforms. Poncwski already has established a so-called Government in Posen. Much depends upon the attitude of the army, which at present is devoted to General Pilsudski. It is thought the Posen regiments, which are the power of the Army, might yet fide with Donowski, and then the fall of Warsaw might weaken the allegiance of some other troops. It is hinted that Donowski is backed by ' one Entente power, which sees in him the best chance of continuing ■war against R jissia. His chance will certainly come if Russia dictates excessive peace terms. Yet this would involve Poland hi civil war, for Dono■wiski is a reactionary and bslieves in a Big Poland. He had long led the Polish Party in the Russian Duma, but he has favoured Poland remaining a part of Russia. He is a bitter opponent of General Pilsudski.