POLES. IN. BRITAIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 November 1946, Page 8

POLES. IN. BRITAIN

CHARGES AGAINST ANDERS’ OFFICERS REPATRIATION QUESTION LONDON, Oct, 31. Polish officers of General Anders’ Army are taking steps to discourage Polish troops in the Re-settlement Corps in Britain from applying for repatriation to Poland, says a statement from the Polish Embassy. One means used is to select applicants for repatriation for such jobs as mine clearing and threaten to delay repatriation if the men show reluctance to accept the work. 8 A Polish Embassy spokesman claimed that the Polish authorities were not consulted concerning the formation of the Resettlement Corps. “We opposed the Resettlement Corps because it is a military organisation and contrary, to Polish law,. .. We thought'.we. should have been consulted regarding it by the... British Government but- instead.Vve have been given the. cold, .shoulder.” ..... _ .. The statement added that.. a Note was delivered at the Foreign Office pn October 28 concerning the soldiers Employed in mine-clearing and. agricultural work. It was claimed in the Note that employment for such work should be on a voluntary basis.. The statement promised no victimisation of those Poles who returned and added:, The officers and men will retain their ranks. < ;.. .. ; A British Foreign Office spokesman, commented that it was the hope of the Government that as many Poles as possible would choose to return, to Poland. It was British policy to give them every assistance-to do so.