POLAND’S DESTINY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26027, 15 December 1945, Page 7

POLAND’S DESTINY

ELECTIONS BEFORE JUNE COLLABORATION WITH RUSSIA (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 14. Poland will have free elections before June, it is reported from Warsaw. The Vice-Premier, M. Mikolajczyk, making the announcement to the foreign press, said only free elections could provide a stable Government, and the Peasant Party, of which he was the leader, was anxious that they should be held as soon as possible. There have been delays created by the slow clearing of evacuees and by the need to await the return bf Polish fighting services from abroad. He and his party believed that Poland must have close collaboration with Russia. Even though Germany was now defeated, the Germans had not given up the idea that they were the Herrenvolk of Europe. All countries would have to co-operate closely to prevent Germany from again unleashing war. M Mikolajczyk said he had pressed for an understanding with Russia since 1941. He noted that there were fewer Red Army troops in Poland than when he first returned. He dismissed as inaccurate recent allegations in the foreign press that his country had been reoccupied by the Red Army. They had returned land comprising about 3000 estates. The Russian troops already in Poland had been asked to co-operate to suppress banditry. Russia would undoubtedly withdraw her armed forces except for lines of communication. In London the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Ernest Bevin, has discussed Anglo-Polish relations with M. Modzelewski, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary. The talks mainly concern the repatriation of members of the Polish armed forces in Britain and other Poles, and the repayment of £71,000,000 due to Britain. This money was expended by Britain on the Polish Army which fought with the Allies and on the Polish refugees in the Middle East and elsewhere. The Times diplomatic correspondent says much bitter comment has been made in Poland on the British proposals for the repayment of these sums expended by Britain, and adds that the Treasury does not ask for £-71,000,000, but it suggested that in the final settlement the present Polish Government should accept the obligation to pay £45.000,000 spent bn soldiers’ pay and allowances of various kinds, and £26,000,000 paid out on the civilian account. It appears that Warsaw is ready to accept the civilian account of £26,000,000, but regards the Claim for £45,000,000 as excessive and unjust in itself and beyond its capacity to meet. The soldiers, it is pointed out fought under British command and often in the direct defence of Britain. It is also stated that some of the money was used in services directed against the present Government.