REDS AND POLES

Gisborne Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5536, 19 July 1920, Page 5

REDS AND POLES

BRITAIN PROPOSES ARMISTICE

CONFERENCE AT LONDON SUGGESTED.

REPLY REQUESTED WITHIN

ONE WEEK

United Press Association —n-.nyr’arht-LONDON. July 14. In the House-of Commons Mr. Bonar Law read a telegramSsent by the British Government to the Soviet Government on the 11th, proposing an immediate Russo-Polisli armistice, whereby the Polish armies immediately would withdraw to the eastern boundary of Poland, and as soon as possible thereafter representatives of Soviet Russia; Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Finland would assemble in London under the auspices of the Peace Conference, to negotiate a final peace between Russia and its neutral States. A representative of East Ga - licia would also be invited to the conference.

The British Government also proposes a simultaneous armistice between the Soviet forces and General Wrangel, on the basis that Wrangel’s forces should immediately retire from the Crimea, which would be neutral during the armistice, and that Wrangel be invited to London to discuss the future of his troops and refugees, but ho would not be a member of the conference. The British Government binds itself not to assist Poland in any purpose hostile to Russia, and to take no action itself hostile to Russia. She is also bound under the covenant of the League of Nations to defend the integrity of Poland within certain frontiers. If, therefore, the Soviet Government, despite its repeated -declaration, is not to be content with the withdrawal of the Polish armies from Russia on conditions of a mutual armistice, but intends to take action hostile to Poland in Poland’s own territory, the British Government and Allies will feel bound to assist Poland to defend its existence with all means at their disposal. The British Government had stated it would be glad of a definite reply within a week.

Replying to Mr, Asquith, Mr. Bonar Law said this message was sent by wireless to Moscow, with the knowledge and approval of the Allies. —Reuter.

POLISH DISAPPROVAL OF ARMISTICE.

TROTSKY TALKS OF PEACE WHEN WARSAW IS TAKEN.

LITHUANIANS OCCUPY VILNA

POLES FLY BEFORE RED TERROR.

(Received July 18. 5.5 p.in.) LONDON, July 17. According to messages from Warsaw Polish disapproval of the armistice terms accounts for Grabski’s withdrawal -from Spa on Wednesday. Opinion in Moscow is apparently divided. Tchitcherin and other moderates favor acceptance, but it is reported that Trotsky’s violent speech at a great gathering in Moscow won unanimous applause and the meeting passed a resolution that a peace would only be signed when the Reds enter Warsaw. The Daily Telegraph correspondent at Polish headquarters says the proposed armistice with the Bolsheviks is nob welcomed by the Polish nation which hardly realises its danger, but decisive military events are probable before the armistice can be concluded. Vilna was evacuated on July 13 and it is probable that the Lithuanians have already occupied the city. Two hundred thousand Polish fugitives from the district are flying, abandoning everything, fearing atrocities such as the recent murder and mutilation of the Polish Prefect at Dubno and forty-eight companies. Audacious raids by small bodies of Russian cavalry through the woods are the chief cause of the Polish defeats, but a clever Polish general could stop the rout. The Morning Post’s Warsaw correspondent reports that the Lithuanians and Poles reached an agreement under which the former occupied Vilna. fit is understood that the Lithuanians have an agreement with the Bolsheviks providing that the former shall be left in undisturbed occupation of the town. This does not affect the military situation, and the Bolsheviks are able to continue operations as if they actually held it. All north-western Poland is now awash and a mighty trek to Warsaw is proceeding. The military are efficiently evacuating 100,000 people from \ llna and Minsk, and countless small villages are emptying themselves. Enormous hordes of people are moving along the highways afoot carrying cooking utensils. The hot weather is eausinw much suffering. It is difficult to foresee what will happen when Warsaw is reached. The city is already overcrowded and food places are prohibitive. It is likely that the parks and open spaces on the shores of the Vistula will bq converted into vast refugee camps. The Bolsheviks are coming into possession of a lemavkably rich harvest, some* of the corn being already stacked. Ihe peasants, like the townspeople, are fleeing before the Bolshevik terror without pausing to destroy their haivosts.—A. and N.Z.C.A. • AVARS AW, July 16. It is doubtful whether Poland will accept the British armistice proposals The-British Note to Lenin-lias created a most unfavorable impression in Poland. It is considered inevitable in view of its- terms that Grabski should leave Spa without consenting to the armistice. A Moscow message states that at a gieat meeting discussing peace with 1 olanci Tchtcherin favored the opening, by Trotsky of immediate negotiations. Trotsky, on the other hand, protested in most- violent terms and obtained unanimous applause by declaring that peace would be signed only after the triumphal entry of. the Reds into Warsaw. —Reuter.

BOTH SIDES WILL PROBABLY ACCEPT PROPOSALS.

KRASSIN INFLUENCES SOVIET.

(Received July 19. 12.5 a.m.) PARIS. July 17. Le Petit Parisian states that Grabski, on returning to Poland from Spa, participated in prolonged and animated discussions regarding the armistice terms and ultimately overcame strong opposition. I ormal notification of the acceptance of the teims is imminent. T , ~ Moscow messages state that ■ the belief is general that Air. LloydGeorge’s terms will be accepted ly owing to Krassin’s strong advocacy of moderation, pointing out that peace with Europe is what Russia most needs. —A. and IS.Z.C.A.

BIG VICTORY BY WRANGEL. EIGHTEEN CAVALRY REGIMENTS ROUTED

100,000 COSSACKS REBEL AND BREAK THROUGH RED I RON 1

(Received July .19, 12-20 a.m.) HELSINGFORS, Juy b. It is reported that General. Wrangel surprised and routed eighteen Bolshevik cavalry regiments, capturing 20,000 prisoners, including the commander-in-chief and Ills staiL ■ c It is reported that 100,000 Cossacks rebelled and broke through the Red front and joined General \\ range!—A. and N.Z.O.A. . ... General Wrangel flatly. rejected the armistice proposal to withdraw to the Crimea leaving the inhabitants of the occupied territories to ruthless Bolshevik control.—United Service.