SOVIET & POLAND

Grey River Argus, 8 January 1944, Page 5

SOVIET & POLAND

GERMAN HOPES Of Clashes Over Frontier FAust. & N.Z. Press Assn.] (Rec. 11.0.) LONDON, Jan. 7. “The Times’s” diplomatic correspondent refers to a broadcast to Poland just, made by the Polish Prime Minister, M. Mikolajczik. The correspondent says: “Prime Minister Mikolajczik, in his broadcast, staunchly upheld Polish rights. He was as silent as was the Polish Government’s statement, on the question of the specific Polish frontiers.” The correspondent continues: “Although the difficulties remain enormous, and the problems are of many kinds, the danger signals have come from Germany, as a corrective against any belief that; there is much time left for debating. The neutral correspondents report that there are German hopes of Russian-Polish clashes, and the ruthless German Governor of Poland. Doctor Franck has offered, in a public proclamation, “a proper place” to Poland in the future family of the European nations.” Polish Prime Minister URGES AVOIDANCE OF CLASH. AND ATTACK ON GERMANS. (Rec. 11.0.) LONDON, Jan. 7. The Prime Minister of Poland. M. Mikolajczik made a broadcast to Poland last night. He told the Polish underground movement to strike with renewed force against the Germans and to avoid friction with the Russians. He said: “We would have preferred to have met the Soviet troops, not simply as the allies of our allies fighting against the common foe, but as our own allies as well.” The Daily Mail’s diplomatic correspondent says: Efforts are being made by Uhe British and American. Governments to produce an understanding between the Polish Government and Russia. Although it is not possible so far to make much headwav, the hope is constantly expressed in British circles that greater progress will be made in the near future. The Polish problem is regarded a s a test case in matters relating to a settlement in Europe after the hostilities end. ■ “There is certainly no desire on the part of the British Government that the Polish Government should be forced to accept any settlement., The British Ministers are anxious that the frontier question should be settled by friendly negotiations, and to this end they are prepared to give all their assistance. The British re-, action is that the only helpful feature of the Polish Government's statement is that it does not close the door on the possibility of a negotiated settlement with Russia. The worst aspect is the virtual direction to Polish . underground authorities; not to co-operate with the Russians unless or until there is a resumption of Polish-Soviet relations.” DR. BENES' RETURN. RUGBY, Jan. 6. The Czech President, Dr. Benes, returned to Britain to-day after, a six weeks journey, including a visit to Moscow. He was accompanied by M. Lebediev, t'he new Soviet Ambassador to Czechoslovakia.