THE POLISH SITUATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1886, 10 August 1920, Page 5

THE POLISH SITUATION.

CONSIDERED BY ALLIED PREMIERS.

A GRAVE DEVELOPMENT.

(By Electrio Telegraph.—Copyright.") LONDON, August. 9. The Times's Hytho correspondent say.' that the situation "in regard to Poland i< extremely grave. The Bolsheviks s arroIgant refusal has been taken to mean that they intend to capture Warsaw and establish a puppet Polish Soviet, with which to make whatever terms Moscow desires. In consequence of the unfavourable reply and tho attitude of the Bolsheviks, the conference adjourned alter referring the matter I to tho naval and military advisers, and will meet in the morning to receive their reply and decide upon their action. As a result of the grave development, M. Millcrand has postponed his departure for France. Meanwhili-, conversations will continue. ■Members of the conference have no doubt that the Bolsheviks intend to push forward and carry out the above plans—('limes.) Received August 10, 12.10 p.m. LONDON, August 9. The Hythe Conference heard^ reports from Marshal Fooh, General Wilson and Admiral Bcatty, who lengthily discussed measures to frustrate the Russian over-running of Poland. Marshal Foch is apparently of too opinion that Poland is far from being defeated, and if her forces are quickly reorganised she may yet successfully defend her frontiers.—(A. and N.Z. cable.) PARIS, August 9. The Allied troops on the eastern Russian frontier are busily engaged in destroying the accumulations of German ,war material and munitions, evidently with the intention of preventing them falling hands of the Bolsheviks. The Germans a re complaining of the incessant explosions.alarming the populace.—(A. and N.Z. cable:) WARSAW CANNOT BE SAVED. SINISTER BOLSHEVISTIC DESIGNS. • Received August 10, 9.5 a.m. LONDON, August 9. Tho Times takes a serious viow of the situation. It points out that matters have drifted so far that it is militarily impossible to save Warsaw. Tho reports of tho advisers alone can show whether Poland can be saved. It is impossible to dispatch troops via Danzig and there only remains the blockade, which moved most slowlv at the beginning of the war. The French are convinced of the reality of a Rußso-German understanding and therein lies the next danger. Tho Times editorially urges 4 Mr Lloyd George to place tho whole fnets frankly and quickly before tho nation and expressing the. immensity, significance and vastness of the issues at stake. The Paris correspondent sums up French opinion by saying that the country is weary of fighting. France needs external peace, but is prepared to struggle even more in order to secure peace and security. French opinion regards the establishment of a Soviet in Poland as a triumph for Germany. Additional reports from Poland confirm the sinister Bolshevik intentions to occupy the capital and establish a Soviet Government. The one recently formed at Bialostok has issued Bolshevistic appeals far and wide. Red airmen arq showering Warsaw and the surrounding country with official Bolshevik leaflets couched in inflammatory language and declaring that Russia wiil fulfil the task of emancipating the workers and creating a new and greater Poland. The appeal ends: " Hurry workmen, soldiers and peasants to join'the world's revolution and rid the world of capitalists, exploiters and the middle class. Form councils of soldiers and make officers prisoners. Let us march on Warsaw together."—(Times).

MILITARY CATASTROPHE

POLISH ARMY PANIC-STRICKEN.

Received August 10, 9.30 a.m. LONDON, August 9

Tlte Timcs's Warsaw ooxr«pondent says that, although Polish patriotism burns brightly, Bolshevist emissaries are scattering money with a lavish hand, and the danger is real and urgent and daily mcreasA German press correspondent 1 states that the situation in Poland has developed, into a military catastrophe, coupled with complete internal collapse. All bridges leading to Warsaw have been blown up. The Reds are shelling the outer forts, the Polish army is panic-stricken, and hordes of deserters (including hundreds of oflicers) are streaming toward Moscow. Citizens are continuously fleeing from Warsaw city.—(Tunes.) Received August 10, 9.10 a.m. LONDON, August 9.

A Bolshevik communique states thut they have been successful and are advancing towards the river Narefin. Troops have entered Sokoloff. Fighting is proceeding in the Sodlitz region with alternating success. "We are driving back the Poles m the upper reaches of Strypa," continues the communique, " and fighting is proceeding in our favour on the Crimean sector."—(A. and N.Z. cable).

MESSAGE FROM BOLSHEVIKS.

ALLIED INTERVENTION REJECTED

Received August 10, 12.25 p.m. LONDON, August 9. A Russian wireless to Britain says: "The Polish Government announces its readiness to send delegates to Minsk to conclude an armistice and' peace preliminaries. Hie Bolshovik Government, therefore, has expressed its belief that the object of the Allies uamelv. the cessation of hostilities and t'ho establishment of peaceful relations between Russia and Poland on the basis of the full independence of Poland, will be attained in the most speedy and the simplest way through direct negotiations. ' Iho Bolshevik Government is of the opinion that the Allies will undoubtedly acknowledge their object will be fully covered by the impending Russo-Polish conference at Minsk." , , ''if. The contents of the above Note are regarded as practically amounting to rejection of the Allied participation in the RussoPolish settlement—(A. and N.Z. cable.)

GERMAN PROCLAMATION. PREVENTING TRANSPORT OF WAR MATERIAL. . Received August 10, 9.10 li.m.

BERLIN, August 9. The Social Democrats, Independents, and Spartacists have issued a joint proclamation calling on the workers to be in readiness to prevent the transport of Allied war material to Poland.—(A. and N.Z. cable).

BRITISH CABINET MEETING

Received August 10, 12.25 p.m. LONDON, August 9

Mr Lloyd George has called a Cabinet meeting for six o'clock to-night, when he will lay the whole situation as the outcome of the Lvmpne conference before his colleagues.—(A. and N.Z. cablo.)

LABOUR'S ATTITUDE

CONFERENCE OF UNIONS,

LONDON, August 9. There will be a conference of all the Labour executives to-night to consider their attitude towards Russia. A general strike is threatened if Britain reinstates the blockade against Russia.—(A, and N.Z. cable.)

MR WILSON'S'POLICY. FRIEND OF RUSSIAN PEOPLE, BUT NOT BOLSHEVIKS. Received August 10. 8 a.m. WASHINGTON, fkugust 9. A declaration in regard to the American policy respecting Russia, and Poland is expected shortly. It is understood that Mr Wilson will declare that the Bolsheviks will not be recognised in any circumstances. The United "States Government seeks the re-establishment of a united Russia, and is anxious to impress upon Russian people that, it is her friend. The United StatesBritish trade agreement with Estbonia will not be recognised, as the United, States Government opposes dividing Russia into separate ojititios.—(A. and N.Z. cable.) CLOTHING FOR PEOPLE. '' '.ttoemved August 10, 10.15 a.m. " 'i'' .W®rj MFJJKHHtNE,'August 10. The Australian Red Cross has forwarded

£70,000 worth of clothing, etc., to distressed Poland, and has accordingly gained representation on the International Red Uoss League oE London. . . Lady Helen Munro Ferguson is being appointed the Australian representative.— (Press Association.)