Russia’s “Realistic” Attitude To Poland

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1944, Page 3

Russia’s “Realistic” Attitude To Poland

(Spec.)

LONDON, March 13,

“The Soviet reply to the Poles, refusing to agree to final settlement of Russo-Polish frontier being postponed until after the war meanwhile leaving Lvov and Vilna under Polish administration, virtually amounts to an ultimatum of unconditional surrender," says “The Economist.” The journal asks: “If the Russians can agree to leave their claims to Petsamo until the final peace negotiations, why cannot they do the same with Lvov? Similarly, if Moscow can negotiate with a Government including Mannerheim and Tanner, why must the reshuffling of the Polish Government be made a sine qua non to resuming relations between Russia and Poland?"

It agrees, however, “that the Russians are entitled to insist on full military and political security behind their fighting lines in Poland.” Key to Future Peace

The Allied Nations are anxious to see this frontier dispute settled amicably, for it is believed that Poland is the key to future peace of Europe. There are many who would like to see Poland follow the line taken by Czechoslovakia which defined its position with Russia, politically and economically, but at the same time, realised that Poland has more historical complications.

While Czechoslovakia for centuries has regarded the Austrians and Germans as enemies, it has never been overrun by Russia. Poland, on the other hand, has been divided between Russia and Germany and the area nearest Russia is pro-German while districts nearest Germany are proRussian. 7\.s a result the Poles themselves are politically divided. It is understood that the Poles never believed that the Russians would take a victorious role in this war, but that Germany would again defeat Russia and would, in turn, be defeated by Britain and America as in the last war.

Possible Soviet Action

Today there is an impasse in RussoPolish relations. Well-informed circles believe that Russia is determined so to secure her western frontier to guard against Germany ever again attempting to invade the Ukraine. One theory is that Russia probably will install the Soviet’s and Russian civil administration as she advances all the way to the Curzon Line, thus establishing it as Russian territory. Once she advances beyond the Curzon Line the Soviet will put in Polish divisions to advise and then establish Polish civil adminstratons. Ths area, Russia will respect as Polish territory. This it is believed is in keeping with Russian “realistic" policy. Well-informed circles also believe that Russia does not desire any further Finnish territory but insists on maintaining the frontiers formed in 1940. terial. The Russians, advancing westward from Uman, occupied Dzhulinki (a district centre on the left bank of the southern Bug). Soviet troops pressed the remnants of the defeated Germans into the river. The enemy lost 2500 killed and many drowned attempting to s#im the river. Ghost of Stalingrad Stating that the battle for the final liberation of the Western Ukraine is being fought “Pravda” points out that the Red Army has entered Odessa region for the first time since the Germans captured the city nearly 2‘/ 2 years ago. The Red Army will not stop at these successes. It will continue to perfect its military skill and, by perfect co-ordination of fire-power and manoeuvre, will continue to break the enemy’s defences in their whole depth. It will continue to hunt the enemy by day and night, disregarding overflowing rivers and the roadlessness of spring. The ghost of Stalingrad is stalking among German troops, forcing them to try at all costs to avoid encirclement. They are becoming sensitive to out-flanking manoeuvres and attacks from the rear. Complete panic has seized the Germans. They are throwing away food packs, ammunition belts, light v machine-guns and even rifles and gas-masks.” Catalogue of Successes Tonight’s Russian communique says that the Russians, r advancing south-west of Volochysk, have captured a district centre and a number of inhabited localities. The Russians in Proskurov direction, beating off counter-attacks, waged offensive battles and occupied several localities, including some large ones. The Russians in Vinnitsa area have passed to the offensive and occupied three district centres in Vinnitsa region, including Lipovets and also fought their way into a number of inhabited localities, including several large ones. A successful offensive has continued to develop southwest and south of Uman. , The Russians west of Kirovgrad captured a district centre and ov4r 100 other inhabited localities. The Russians west of Krivoi Rog have captured a district centre of Krivoi Rog region and over 50 inhabited localities. The offensive continued south-west of Vshivoie, where a district centre and more than 120 inhabited localities have been occupied. The communique, after mentioning the capture of Kherson, adds: 1 “During the week, ended March 12 forces of the Third Ukrainian front destroyed 115 tanks, 64 self-propelled guns, 390 guns, 230 mortars, 950 machine-guns, 68 armoured vehicles, 57 tractors, and 3030 lorries. The Germans left 20.000 dead. In the same period, troops of the Third Ukrainian front captured 87 tanks, 64 self-propelled guns, 338 guns, 142 mortars, 1077 machine-guns, 48 armoured vehicles, 121 tractors, 5384 lorries and a large number of dumps of ammunition and war material also 2500 prisoners.”