SOVIET ACTIVITY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16797, 22 July 1920, Page 3

SOVIET ACTIVITY.

THRUST TOWARDS PRUSSIA, WARSAW ALSO APPROACHED, • By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright, o * (Received July 22, 8.45 a.m.) WARSAW, July 21. Twenty fresh divisions are advancing 20 kilometers daily. They smashed through the Polish front between Suwalki and Augustow and are hourly expected on the east Prussian frontier. The Reds are rapidly advancing from Lida and are now within 160 miles of Warsaw. A general re-grouping of tho Polish armies is in progress. Preparations have been made to evacuate Tiialystok. A portion of the Warsaw garrison has been sent northward to make a supremo effort to stem the tide.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. ‘ ‘EXTREME IMPERTINENCE ” FRANCE’S PLIGHTED WORD. (Received Jnly 22, 8.45 a.m.) PARIS, July 21. M'. Milleraud, in tho Chamber, described tho Soviets’ reply as “an extreme impertinence.” Ho went on to stato that Franco had kept her plighted word to defend Poland, “as 1 am euro Britain will be loyal to hers.” (Cheers.) —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BOLSHEVIKS ELATED. o LONDON? Jidy 20. It is understood the British reply to tho Russian Note threatens to break qif trade negotiations if the Bolsheviks in T 7ade Poland.—Reuter. - The latest advices from Moscow show that successes in Poland have completely restored the confidence of the Bolsheviks, end have revived firm demands for international recognition of the Soviet. The newspaper Pravda insists on tho light of the Bolsheviks to dictate peace ■in Warsaw, and virtually to BoJ&hoviso Poland. An article in tho newspaper Izyestia declares that tho Soviet is only willing to deal with Western European Governments on a footing of perfect equality, and does not accept the dictation of England, who, it declares,»ovor-esti-. mates her powers, and does not hold the full confidence of tho Allies. Krassin, writing iu tho Krasnaya Gazette, says Russia is quite prepared to sign a general peace on the basis of recognition of the Soviet, and would only resume trade thereafter. Trotsky is also busy writing to newspaper*, vaunting the successes of the 'Bolshevik arms, which, ho asserts, are imaided by a single German officer. —United Service ADVANCE TO AUSTRIA. VIENNA, July 20. It is reported a Bolshevik force entered Bessarabia, and is advancing into the interior.—United Service-. [Bessarabia is in the- extreme southwest of European Russia and borders on tho former kingdom of Austria-Hun-gary.]

PEACE MEDIATIONS REFUSED. * a * ,j BUT TRADE STILL WANTED. (Received July 22, 10.35 a m.) LONDON, July 21. A Moscow wireless signed by Lenin, Thotsky, and Tchitcberin reiterates their intention to deal direct with Poland in the matter of peace. Neither tho League of Nations nor Lord Curzon will be called upon to act as peace makers in the civil war which they brought about and fanned. The rejection of mediation by tho League of Nations does not mean that tho Soviet rejects a continuation of the negotiations with Britain and other nations forming tho league. “We merely deny their right to constitute themselves saviours of little nations; wo don’t trust them,” tho message says,— ifiis.*N.Z. Cable Assn.

RESTORING BALTIC FLEET. FINNISH ATTACK FEARED. (Received July 22, 10.35 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, July 21. Admiral Raskolnikov, who was appointed commander-iu-chief of tae Russian Baltic fleet, is taking steps to restore tho fleet to tho strength it occupied under tho Czar’s regime with an. eye to possible attacks by Finland. ARMISTICE POSSIBLE. POLAND SHOULD APPLY. (Received July 22, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, July 21. The Daily Chronicle states that tho British Cabinet adopts, tho view that the Soviet Government’s reply means an acceptance of an armistice with Poland. The Russian only continues to drive out the Polish invaders from Russian soil. Therefore the Allies will counsel Poland to ask for an armistice immediately and thus discover whether the Soviet means peace or war. The Soviet reply says that British intervention is unnecessary as the Soviet has already concluded peace with the other border States, and is able to do so with Poland. Moreover, the British Government did pot manifest the same desire for peace when Poland first embarked on wanton aggression. Nevertheless, the Soviet realises that tho working classes of Russia and Poland are anxious for peace, and therefore is willing to enter into negotiations, but directly with Poland.