WHERE BRITAIN STANDS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2026, 12 August 1920, Page 3

WHERE BRITAIN STANDS.

ATTITUDE OF LLOYD GEORGE. POLAND NOT JUSTIFIED. (neuter) LONDON', Aug. 10. In the House of Commons, the Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George made a statement before a crowded House in refard to the Polish situation. M. irassin and M. Kameneff, the Russian trade delegates, were present in the Strangers' Gallery. Mr Llovd George expressed himself as still hopeful of peace, but. in view of the fact that the House would be rising at the end of the week, he proposed to indicate the Government's intentions in certain contingencies. In restating the position, he repeated his opinion that the Polish attack was unjustified. He considered the Soviet Government was entitled to take into account in its peace conditions that the Poles not only attacked Russia, but did so despite British and French warnings. The Soviet Government was entitled to demand guarantees against a repetition of similar attacks, but nothing could justify reprisals or punishment which would destroy the aggressors' national existence. It had. furthermore, to be considered that the independence of Poland was an essential part of the structure of European peace. A repartition of Poland would be not only a crime, but a peril. These contingencies must be considered as the basis of British policy. Purpose of Allies.

The Prime Minister then summarised the events which led to the Soviet's refusal of a truce. Dealing with the Lyrnpne Conference, he said the conference, firstly, agreed that the sole purpose of the Allies' policy was to secure peace on the basis of the independence of ethnographical Poland, and decided to advise Poland to endeavour to negotiate an armistice ami pence. So long as the independence of ethnographical Poland" was recognised, if the Poles negotiated a pence at the Minsk Conference, the Alics did not propose to unset the arrangements made. Ai different situation would arise if the! Soviet Government insisted on terms in absolute conflict with the independence of Poland as a free nation. Mr Lloyd George pointed out that unless Great Britain abandoned the whole basis of the League of Nations, she could not remain disinterested when the life of a member of the League was jeopardised. The Covenant of the League contemplated'economic pressure as a means of assistance, as distinct from a great war and conscription. They were morally bound to support an Allied

nation whose national existence was challenged,*4specially where the additional danger arose of a great aggressive "Soviet Empire co-termin-ous with Germany. The Allies would take no action, except for the purpose of securing Poland's existence and independence. Poles Must Accept Direction. After references to the difficulties with which Poland was faced in her renaissance and the blunders of her inexperienced statesmanship, the Prime Minister emphasised that the Pules must accept the direction of people who, after four years' experience in the Great War, had made it clear to Poland that the Allies were sending no troops. Further, it would be unnecesary to send any troops if the Polish resources were thoroughly organised. If the Bolsheviks imposed conditions inconsistent with Poland's national freedom of existence, the Allies would put their stores at the Poles' disposal and help to equip them for their own defence. They would be supplied with the necessary military advice and guidance, and the Allies would exercise economic pressure upon Soviet Russia to release her stranglehold upon the life of Poland. Mr Ben Tillett interrupting, asked what would be the position of America. Mr Lloyd George replied that whatever American opinion might be in regard to the League of Nations, he was sure there would be no* difference of opinion in their general towards Polish independence. The Prime Minister added that the Government would give General Wrangel substantial support from the large stores at its disposal which hitherto the Government had not allowed to reach him. This was a point upon which the Government insisted in the event of the Minsk negotiations breaking down, and if it were compelled to take steps to cut off Russia from the Outside world, there would be an end to any trade negotiations. Ready for Contingencies.

Referring to the Labour deputation which visited him in the morning, the Prime Minister said he gathered from the members of the deputation that the Government was supposed to be engaged in a reactionary conspiracy to destroy a Democratic Government representing the peasants and workers of Russia. The Prime Minister stated that Bertrand Russell, the Socialist leader who had visited Russia, would show that the Soviet Government was neither socialist, democratic, nor Christian, and that the working classes were in a condition approximating in many respects to slavery. , Mr Lloyd George concluded by saying:—"The Bolshevik Government, if it wants peace, can get it. If you have a real desire for peace you can get it. If you are out to challenge the basis on which the liberties of Europe depend, vou will fail." Mr Asquith said he regretted that the Prime Minister's speech had not contributed to the removal of the difficulties of maintaining peace. The House should have an opportunity, before Great Britain took any warlike steps, of reviewing the whole situation.