POLISH QUESTION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16798, 23 July 1920, Page 3

POLISH QUESTION.

OUTSTANDING IMPORTANCE,

RESPONSIBILITY ON ALLIES,

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright,

(Received July 23. 9.2 S a.m.) LONDON, July 22, Regarding the Polish situation, Mr. Lloyd George’s comments nro the outstanding topic of tho day. The Daily Telegraph says that the Poles must bo saved. Marshal Foch has consistently declined to encourage a Polish offensive on the ground that Napoleon’s example was a warning to a lesser genius not to emulate the invasion of Russia, but ho will go to Poland, if tlie Bolshevik invasion continues, iu order to organise the Polisu rear defences, which have been neglected, like those of Italy in 1017. Tins v. ill slio,v the Bolsheviks that file Western Powers cannot be flouted with impunity. . The Chronicle says: “If the- Soviets reply bo "for war wo and our Allies will have no option but to take up tho challenge.” The Daily Express remarks that war with Russia would tax to the limit the resources which the Allies mobilised in 1914 and 1918.

Tho Daily Nows strongly objects to the League of Nations interfiling hi Poland now. There is nothing to discredit tho league more than declining to lift a finger to restrain one of its members from a piece of lawless buccaneering and then intervening at the Moment when the folly of that member has begun to recoil on his own head. Ibo Allies must clear up the matter.--Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONTACT WITH PRUSSIA. LATTER (NOT SYMPATHETIC. (Received July 23, 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, July 21. Tho Warsaw correspondent, of the Morning Post says that the .news thuo tho Soviet Government has rejected the armistice proposals comes as a roKet after a period of restless uncertainty. Fighting is now actually occurring at Grodno and Kovel, while Bolshevik cavalry are reported to he at Bailystoi;, tho evacuation ol which is progressing. The most significant news to-day is tho crossing by the Bolsheviks of tho line of Congress .Poland and invading territory which is admittedly purely Polish in population. Tlie Bolsheviks have now formed a contact with East Prussia and a penetration has been effected over the N remen River. There is little likelihood that tho Bolsheviks will receive cooperation or sympathy from East Prussia, which is reactionary, but,the fact that communication has been established between Soviet Russia and Germany is regarded as an event of first consequence. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

FIERCE FIGHTING,

WARSAW July 21. The Reds have reached the peace conference frontier lines of Poland and Suwalki. Fierce fighting is taking place in the Pripet regions, and a Rod offensive is expected towards Kovel. The roads from Grovno to Keval are crowded with fugitives. l}psperate efforts have been made to stimulate Polish recruiting, including schoolboys.— Times Service.

GERMANS TO BE NEUTRAL

BERLIN, July 20. The Government is issuing a declaration pledging Germany to the strictest neutrality in the Soviet-Polish war, and appealing to Germans abroad not to participate on either side. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

TRADE DELEGATES HESITATING

LONDON, July 21

The Russian trade delegates remain at Rcval, and it is doubtful whether they will proceed to London to re-open discussions until satisfactory arrangements are made with Russia regarding Poland.—us.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SITUATION IMPROVED. BOLSHEVIK PUSH SPENT. •(Received July 23, 8 a.m.) ■WARSAW. July 21. Despite repeated attacks, Budeny’s troops on the Galician frontier seem sufficiently'protected. The Roles also securely held the approaches to BrostLitovsk. Obstinate battles are being fought in upper Niemen and the eastern approaches to Baranovitch, while the Poles firmly held the central region" of the Pripot. Last week’s fighting shows that the Bolshevik push has spent itself. Everything points to the situation becoming stationary.—Reuter. (Received July 23, 12 noon.) BERLIN, July 22. The Bolsheviks are advancing on Warsaw in three columns. Russian cavalry outflanked the Polish army in the region of Grodno. The Russians are evacuating Lithuania as the Reds advance into Poland.

AN UNHOPEFUL REPORT. (Received July 27, 12 noon.) PARIS, July 22. The Matin’s military correspondent declares that, owing to the weakness of the Polish loft wing, further resistance is impossible. The Allies have not a moment to lose if they intend to rescue Poland. Another correspondent reports that civilians are beginning to evacuate the city and the foreign missions, including various relief organisations, are preparing to leave. —Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. EAST PRUSSIA ARMING. TO MEET THE BOLSHEVIKS. (Received July 23, 1.15 p.m.) PARIS, July 22. , ' The Berlin correspondent of the Now York Herald states that the German Government has completed plans fur arming the East Prussians against the Bolsheviks. Besides concentrating all available tropos, rifles will be distributed among civilians. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STRONG NATIONAL SPIRIT. e BOLSHEVIKS LOVE RUSSIA. (Received July 23, 8.45 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, July 21. Kovno telegrams state that three Bolshevik armies are being thrown into Lithuania, all marching on different routes to Warsaw. It is reported that a. strong: national

spirit prevails. The Bolshevik general declared: ‘ ‘We are not Bolsheviks, but Russians fighting the Russian nation’s enemies.” —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NO ARMISTICE YET. (POLES ARMED WITH SCYTHES. (Received July 23, 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, July 22. The Warsaw correspondent of the Daily Express states that there are no signs that the Poles are ready to consider an armistice. Many volunteer regiments have been formed in answer to Pilsndski’s call to arms, including a battalion of peasants armed with scythes. Countless refugees from the battle region are flooding Poland. The Bolsheviks are fiercely striving to capture Grovno and force the Niemen River. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.