WHERE BRITAIN STANDS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2026, 12 August 1920, Page 15 (Supplement)

WHERE BRITAIN STANDS.

ATTITUDE OF LLOYD GEORGE. POLAND XOT JUSTIFIED. (RtfUter) LONDON, Aug. 10. la'the House of Commons, the fit. Hon, D. Lloyd George made a statement before a crowded House in refard to the Polish situation. M. [rassin 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 comidered 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 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 refjisal of a truce. Dealing with the Lympne 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 and peace. So long as the independence of ethnographical Poland was recognised, if the Poles-nego-tiated a peace at the Minsk Conference, the Alies did not propose to unset the arrangements made. A 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,**specially where the addanger 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 Poles must accept the direction of people who, after four years' experience in the Great War, had made it clear to Poland that the Allies~\\vere 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 attitude 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 i.o 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.

ALLIES STAND ASIDE. HOPES OF FREE DISCUSSION. (Reuter) LONDON, Aug. 10. lii the House of Commons, the Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George, replying to Mr Asquith, said he had just received from M. Kameneff the terms of the armistice and the peace preliminaries, which bad been submitted at Minsk by the Russians, although M. Kameneff had«dded that these terms might be supplemented, but the details were of secondary moment. Following are the terms:— (1) The strength of the Polish armies must be reduced to 50,000 men, and the commands and administration of the army to an aggregate of 10,000 men. (2) Demobilisation to take place within one month. (3) All arms over such as may be required for the needs of the reduced army as well as for the civic militia shall be handed over to Soviet Russia. (4) All war industries must be demobilised. (5) No troops or war materials shall be allowed to come from abroad. (6) Facilities to be placed at the disposal of Russia for commercial transit to and from the Raltic. (7) Free hand to be granted to the dependents of Polish soldiers kiled in the war. On the other hand, parallel with the Polish demobilisation, Russian and Ukrainian troops shall be withdrawn from the Polish front. Upon the determination of these operations the number of Russian troops on the Russian frontier line shall be considerably reduced, and fixed at a figure to be agreed upon. The armistice line shall be the status quo, but not further east than the one indicated in Lord Curzon's Note of July 20. The Polish army shall withdraw to a distance of 50 versts from that line, the zone between being neutral. Finally, the frontier of the independent State of Poland shall, in the main, be identical with the line indicated in Lord Curzon's Note of Julv 20, but additional territory shall be given to Poland on the East. Mr Llovd George said that immediately on receipt of this telegram, and after consultation with his colleagues, he had comunicated the terms to Poland, France, and Italy. The Russian Government insisted on direct negotiations with the Polish Government. They were entitled to direct negotiations, and having taken that course, he was of opinion that it would be unfair, when the delegates from botrTsides were meeting, to express any opinion which might embarrass the discussions.

States desires an autonomous Poland, I and does not take exception to the! armistice negotiations between! Russia and Poland. The United! States will not participate in these j negotiations since it fears that they may lead to the recognition of the I Soviet Government, and the settle-' ment of the Russian problem upon a basis of dismemberment of Russia. The United States will, therefore, welcome an Allied declaration that the true boundaries of Russia, excepting ('inland, Poland, and part of Armenia, will be safeguarded. The Note, which was a reply to Italy, who had requested an outline of the United States' attitude towards Poland, points out that the United States, not wishing the dismemberment of Russia, has consistently refused to recognise the Raltic States, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. The Note adds: "The United States cannot undertake any relations with the Soviet Government, since the latter does not represent the Russian people, #nd openly advocates the stirring-up of revolution in other , countries," and concludes: "A declaration .safeguarding Russian boundaries would negate the Soviet appeal to the spirit of Russian nationalism and cause the Russian people to turn upon the Bolsheviks."