SOVIET AND POLAND

Grey River Argus, 16 August 1944, Page 6

SOVIET AND POLAND

Premier’s Return from Moscow FAILURE OF WARSAW RISING. 8.0.W. RUGBY, August 14. The Prime Minister of Poland (M. Mikolajczyk) has returned to London from Moscow. It is understood thac he will consult his Government on tne result of his conversations with M. Stalin and the Polish leaders in Russia.

Immediately on his return from Moscow, Mr. Eden entertained M. Mikolajczyk. Long discussions were neia It is learned as the result of M. Mikolajczyk’s visit to Moscow, fresn evidence has been afforded of the desire of the Polish Government to place relations with the Soviet on a tooting of enduring friendship. It is felt there are hopeful elements in tne situation. It is understood the position at Warsaw and means of increasing help to the Polish defenders was further discussed.

An early amelioration of relations between the two eastern Allies is fervently hoped for in London. On Monday, M. Mikolajczyk will see tne British Foreign Secretary (Mr. Eden;. It is regarded as specially unfortunate that at the very time of M. Mikolajczyk’s mission to Moscow the Polish Underground Movement in Warsaw began what may turn out to ■have been a premature rising against the Germans. It appears that the underground leader, General Bors, Hearing Russian guns at the eastern outskirts of the city, consulted the Polish Government in London on tne advisability of ordering a general rising. He was given leave to do so when he thought fit. He acted at once, since the moment appeared propitious. had been advancing swiiily and taken the obstacle of the River Bug in their stride. The German High Command, however, in view of the strategic and political importance of Warsaw, concentrated for its defence elite armoured divisions from other fronts, including Italy and Roumania. With these they struck back at the Russian spearheads, inflicting at least a check as they converged. It became necessary for the Russians to consolidate ground won, to build up adequate forces tor crossing the Vistula, and to clear tne lower course of the Bug before they could hope to capture Warsaw. Until they can cross the Vistula somewhat nearer the capital it does not seem possible to hope for a frontal assault on the city. In these circumstances Allied aid is being sent to the inhabitants of Warsaw by such means as is available. How effective such assistance can be it is difficult to judge from London.”

ATTACK'ON POLISH GOVERNMENT

(Rec 9.50) LONDON, Aug. 15 The “Reynolds Newspaper. attacked the Polish Government in London over the Warsaw rising of the Poles, saying:— The Polish Government first boasted that it gave an oruer for Polish patriots in Warsaw to rise against the Germans. Then it denied responsibility when things went badly. On August 8 the Polish Government announced it had given orders for a rising and boasted it was fully responsible for the orders,. A code word, “tempest/’ was radioed from London and patriots obeyed the order and rose against the Germans It was stated at the time that the Polish Government was anxious to claim credit for the rising. It is alleged that an order was sent by vicePremier Kwapinski and Minister of Information Kot. When the premature nature of the rising became apparent, the Polish Government retraced its statement of responsibility for the rising, it being said that General Bors was given a free hand, and that it was he who organised the rising. The Polish Government acted primarily from political considerations. It evidently hoped to present the Allies, including the Russians, with a fait accompli of an established ’authority in Warsaw loyal to the London Government. That would have knocked the bottom out of negotiations going on in Moscow, which, from the beginning, have been opnosed bv anti-Soviet elements in London.’’