Unhappy Plight of Warsaw Patriots

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 206, 31 August 1944, Page 5

Unhappy Plight of Warsaw Patriots

SUFFER WHILE ALLIES DIFFER (Special Correspondent.) Received Thursday, 12.60 &.m. LONDON, Aug. 30. The unhappy relationships between Russia and Poland are becoming further complicated by the state of affairs in Warsaw. The insurrection against the Germans began in Warsaw over three weeks ago without prior consultation with the Soviet, British or American Governments, apparently with the intention of liberating Warsaw in the way the French patriotis liberated Paris. It resulted in a pitched battle between the Germans and the Polish patriots. Commenting on the position Mr. Vernon Bartlett, M.P., in the NewsChronicle says: “A situation has now arisen which may have even graver consequences than the massacre of several thousand of Polish patriots. The British and Americans recently made urgent requests that the air-shuttle service between Italy and Russia which enabled them to give valuable and timely aid to the Soviet armies should be developed so that they could send supplies to Warsaw. Their request has been refused in Moscow. They are nevertheless sending help to the Poles in their capital but without the use of the Russian airfields. It is much smaller help and the risk to our pilots Is very much greater than 1 would otherwise be the case. “The Russians themselves broadcast promises of help but these promises were accompanied by threats to courtmartial the leaders of the Warsaw revolt although it was costing the Germans considerable casualties.” Mr. Bartlett adds: “The Poles’ unilateral action was almost more than foolish and the Russians not unnaturally resented military actiou which might lead to German troop movements unsuited to their own plans. Still more they objected to its political implications. It deepened their suspicion that the Polish Government in London was seeking to forestall them.’ ’ Mr. Bartlett continues: “The illadvised and unjust insinuations by many anti-communist sources that the Russians purposely refrained from relieving Warsaw also greatly angered Moscow. Unless these differences can be removed thousands of Poles will be killed, Polish distrust of the Soviet will be immeasurably deepened also. If the British and Americans are prevented from helping the Poles the relations between the three major Powers will be strained at a time when the approach of the armistice makes their cooperation even more desirable.”