SOVIET AND POLAND

Grey River Argus, 12 August 1944, Page 5

SOVIET AND POLAND

CRITICAL NEGOTIATIONS. NO AGREEMENT YET. 8.0.W. RUGBY, August 10. Negotiations at Moscow between two' groups of Polish authorities and the Soviet Government have reached a critical stage. It is stated the chiel point at issue between the Poles is whether the 1936 Constitution is to be regarded as still in force. Apparently the negotiations have not broken down.

It does not seem to be impossible that a compromise may be effected by which the Polish groups will combine to form a provisional Government. Premier Mikolajczyk himself, at any rate, does not seem opposed to such a solution, which there is reason to believe is favoured by the Kremlin. There is no doubt M. Stalin and M. Mikolajczyk discussed the desperate struggle inside Warsaw which Polisn underground forces are waging against the Germans.

M. Mikolajczyk in a statement at Moscow, last night, said he had had a number of conversations with M. Stalin and M. Molotov, and with representatives of the Polish Committee of National Liberation. Certain proposals were put forward by botn sides, but no definite agreement was reached. The proceedings were conducted in a friendly atmosphere. M. Mikolajczyk added: ‘‘My greatest desire is that Warsaw should De freed and I may come there to continue to live.” The problem, he said, must be solved, as it was not only most vital' for Soviet-Polish relations, but also a test case for future collaboration in Europe. “On our part, we expressed a deep conviction of the necessity of close, friendly collaboration between Poland and Russia, not only in the course of the war, but also during the peace which will follow the ultimate total defeat of Germany. M. Stalin assured us he desired a strong, independent, democratic Poland, and the existence of such a Poland was also in the interest oi Russia.”