WARSAW STILL IN POLISH HANDS

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2031, 18 August 1920, Page 9

WARSAW STILL IN POLISH HANDS

SAVED BY STRONG COUNTER-ATTACK BOLSHEVIKS DRIVEN BACK FROM CAPITAL SOUTH-EASTERN LINE OF DEFENCE COMPLETELY RESTORED By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. s§?.' (A. k N.Z.) (Rec. August ]S, 9 a.m.) LONDON, August 17. Official circles have no confirmation of the Bolshevik claim that Warsaw has fallen. On the contrary, the advices received show that the Poles counter-attacked on the south-eastern front and have driven the Reds back. The Polish line of defence covering Warsaw from the south-east is now completely restored. The Polish counter-attack was launched on receipt of the Information that the Bolsheviks had transferred several divisions to operate against General Wrangel. PILSUDSKI'S COUNTER-STROKE RELIEVES THE PRESSURE. XA. & N.Z.) (Rec. August ]B, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, August .17. A Warsaw telegram states that General Pilsudski's counter-stroke has relieved the pressure on Warsaw, and that the Russians are retiring in confusion. WHY THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS HAS NOT INTERVENED. (Reuter.) (Rec. August 18, 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, August 16. In the House of Commons, following the Rt. Hon. A. Bonar Law, Mr Asquith said he considered the Government had taken the proper course in connection with Poland. It would be monstrous for the Government to undertake further warlike operas tions without Parliament's approval. The peace of the world was now a thing worth purchasing at almost any price short of dishonour. Moreover, peace ought not to be beyond the resources of the combined statesmanship of Europe, with the help of the League of Nations. Mr J. R. Clynes disagreed with the statement that there had had not been any variation of the peaceful purpose of the Government through the past week. He declared that there would have been loss suspicion if it had been known what was transpir-i ing at the recent conferences. He disputed the contention that the Labour Council of Action was challenging the Constitution, because the League of Nations was part of Jheir constitution, and it had not been used in this direction. He emphasised that if the Government refused, at such a time, to use a part of the Constitution which made for peace, then the workmen must not forfeit JheirTFlght to strike if a Avar could be thus prevented. The Rt. Hon. Lord Robert Cecil said that the threat of direct action was a threat of insurrection. Last Tuesday there was not a danger of Great Britain being dragged into a sudden war. Nevertheless, Labour uttered an ill-advised threat, which might have unfortunate results in the future. The Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George deprecated using the League of Nations as a weapon to attack the Government, and pointed out that the League's existence Avas largely due to British support. The Government stood by the League. The League could not be invoked in the present crisis as regards Poland, as the action of the League depended on the unanimity of its members. It was useless to attempt to conceal the fact that the Allies differed regarding the Russian-Polish situation. Consequently the League could not have done more to reach some measure of agreement than the Supreme Council had done and was doing. Furthermore, Russia emphatically refused any intervention by the League. Continuing, Mr Lloyd George refuted the criticism of the Secretary of the Supreme Council, and declared that meetings of the Council had been given full publicity. MANNIX NOT ADVISED BY THE POPE. DENIES RECEIVING ANY MESSAGE FROM ROME. (A. & N.Z.) CRee.. August 18, 11.20' a.m.) LONDON, August 17. Archbishop Mannix denies the report from Rome that the Pope has advised him to refrain from going to Ireland. An earlier message stated: —On the ground that the O'lnm-h does not desire political martyrdom, the Pope has telegraphed to Archbishop Mannix, advising him not to attempt to-land in Ireland. BECOGNITION OF NEW MEXICAN GOVERNMENT. HUERTA ADVISED OF UNITED STATES STIPULATIONS. (A. & N.Z.) (Ree. August *B, 11.20 a.m.) MEXICO CITY, August 17. It is reported that President Huerta has been officially advised that President Wilson is ready to recognise the new Mexican Government if the safety of the lives and property of North Americans is guaranteed, indemnities paid to foreigners injured in the revolution, and Carranza's confiscatory decrees regarding American property abrogated. AUSTRALIA TO HAVE AN AERIAL DERBY RACE. TWO HUNDRED-MILE CONTEST FIXED FOR BOXING DAY. (Received August 18, 8.45 a.m.) MELBOURNE, August 18. An aerial Derby race -will be held on Boxing Day, when at least 10 machines will compete over a 200 mile/) course, starting from Epsom Racecourse. The Postmaster-General is considering the establishment of ft regular aerial mail service between Perth and Broome.