POLAND AND RUSSIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 June 1944, Page 3

POLAND AND RUSSIA

U.S.A. GOOD OFFICES WASHINGTON, June 5. The Prime Minister of Poland, M. Stanislaw Mikolajczyk, has arrived here as the guest of the United States Government. The Associated Press says: The visit of M. Mikolajczyk has raised a hope of a better understanding between the Polish regime, and Moscow. Mr Stettinius said: “America’s offer of her good offices in the RussoPolish dispute is still open, but America has no new proposals.” He added that there will be a general exchange o' views. Mr Stettinius said that it was the impression that the Russian and British Governments have been advised regarding the trip of the Polish Prime Minister.

Many observes consider that the visit of M. Mikolajczyk comes at a time when the Polish issue is at a critical stage. This view is due to a belief that Russia would begin a full-scale offensive against Germany, to be timed with the Western invasion, and that the Russians necessarily would over-run Poland in an effort to reach Germany. M. Mikolajczyk is believed to hold to the principle that Poland cannot accept fundamental geographical changes during the war. He is said to feel at the same time that every effort should be made to reach an amicable understanding with Russia; so that there may be no possible curtailment of co-cperation as between the Red Army and the Polish underground forces.

The “New York Times’s” London correspondent says: IVI. Mikolajczyk went to Washington, on an invitation which was so urgent as to suggest that President Roosevelt may be attempting to bring about an eleventhhour agreement between Poland and Russia. The- Washington Government’s invitation, reached London five days ago. It requested M. Mikolajczyk to reach Washington by June 5. M. Mikolajczyk has -wanted to visit the united States since January.