RUSSIA.

Timaru Herald, Issue 170296, 14 August 1920, Page 9

RUSSIA.

ANGLO-FRENCH DIFFERENCE.

FRENCH PRESS BLAMES LLOYU GEORGE.

By Electric Telegraph— Australian and IN.Z Cabio .<t + -» PARIS, Aug. 12. Le Matin considers the French action justified, because iVU- Lloyd, (ieorge himself went beyond the Hytlio agreement in advising J'oiand to accept the Russian terms if i> -.soil able.

Tho "Petit Parision," referring to Mr Lloyd George not being informed regarding General "Wrangel, says that tho Ambassador in London was informed and instructed to notify the Foreign- Office. The newspaper &iks if the situation is not due to the* fact that London for a considerable time has taken little notice of the legitimate wishes of France. Le Journal"' says that if Poland had not received encouragement ju London, M. Millerand s recognition of General W rangeL would be better calculated to raise her hopes. " "li'Oeuvre" says tnat the Wransrel affair will be inoro costly to France than either Admiral Kolteiiak or General I)eniken. in addition, it is costing us what is left of the British alliance.

The "Echo de Paris" says it is the first time since the I'eace that. France departed from England. The paper trusts that the parting will not be of lengthy duration, and that England under the pressure of events n.uv rejoin us."

Some newspapers consider Mr Lloyd George's Russian attitude due to iiie British Labour threats.

ANOTHER WAR CONSIDERED. . COEPNHAGEN, Aug. 12. M. Litvinoff, interviewed, deiued the existence of a Russo-German ngreernent, adding: "If a new war is declared, it will be much more dangerous and cruel than the war just finished." DESTRUCTIVE FIRES. - LONDON, Aug. 12. A Moscow wireless message deploring the great losses by forest tires, destroying villages and' valuable fuel, urges the people to combat the fires, which are inflicting a severe blow on on an "already shaky common economic situation." The message hints that many fires may be due to acts of the Soviet's enemies.

THE POSITION EASIER.

Received 7.45 p.m., August 13tlii. it is understood that the AngioFrench position to-uay is easier. i L is believed t-aac the meeting 01 the ±-remiers will result jii trie re-e-stablisn-ment of a belter understanding.

Mr Lloyd George, auaressmg the Coalition Liberals, said that ntj fervently hoped and believed tlnat nothing would interfere with the close AngloFrench co-operation, sanctified 'ay so many sacrifices made in common for the liberties of the world.

British Ministers do not regard France's action as causing a breacii between the two nations, iiritain to-day sent a communication to M. Milleranti. British representatives in Paris are conferring amicably with the French Foreign Office. An official statemeut says divergenes in view will not prevent" the continuance 0 f this intimate collaboration.

MINISTERS TO MEET AGAIN.

TO REMOVE MISTOJDER STANDING.

Mr Lloyd George and Lord Curzon are arranging to meet M. Millerand at the earliest opportunity, probably on Sunday, to discuss the recognition of General AVrangel, and prevent further widening of the breach with the Entente.

France's failure to consult Britain officially is attributed to a misunderstanding. It is admitted that Britain, when advising Poland, ought to have considered Trance's view more carefully." On the other hand, it is suggested tlisit France's commitment was needlessly sudden, though it may he susceptible of adequate explanation. The danger of disagreement with. France is taken very seriously in Downing Street. _ ■ The "Standard" says that, if recognition of General Wrangel is carried out the logical conclusion must terminate or profoundly modify the FrancoBritish co-operation.

PROPOSED LABOUR INTERVENTION.

The Joint Labour Committee in London decided to submit to to-morrow's conference proposals to seaid a Labour deputation to France to invite assistance from the French Labour . move-' ment regarding the foreign situaation, and to prevent the possibility of Anglo■a workers misunderstanding each other. .utner resolution supports Mr Lloyd George's efforts to achieve a. .Russo-Polish peace, and demands, that Britain take an immediate lead in negotiating peace with Russia, and demands that Mr Lloyd George- discloses the Cabinet's ideas of satisfactory peace terms. FRENCH PEOPLE}"SURPRISED. ' An inspired view states that. French diplomatic circles are surprised at- the English emotion caused by the recognition and the importance .iitaclied thereto in England. Lt is entirely independent of the Polish question. If England's susceptibilities are touched, it, is infinitely regrettable, but French susceptibility has been similu.it,y stirred by the declaration by Mr Lloyd George advising Poland to accept the* conditions which would result in a fresh breach of the Versailles treaty. FRANCE'S INSPIRATION. PARIS, August 12. M. Millerand, in a speech made when touring devastated area's, said: "The Allies are united. We should not be I separated after standing together during critical liours. When France's ; representative spoke he liad always before his eyes spectacles of the devastated regions and wished to obtain compensation." .

*l/0 Matin,'J cl ofg ndill g France's action, says tliat the Government considered that the Polish Cabinet seemed to be in favour of an energe'tio eliort, of which the oifer of the Supreme Command, to General Weygand, was 'an indication. The Government thought that Poland ought not to be able°to say that the Allies themselves advised her to lay down'her. arms under disastrous conditions. SITUATION AFFECTS KING'S ENGAGEMENTS. The French Embassy lias received confirmation of France's recognition of General \vrangel. Mr Lloyd George and M. Millerand will meet at Boulogne on Sunday. The King, owing to the situation, has postponed his visit to Scotland.

BRITISH NAVAL MOVEMENT. COPENHAGEN, Aug. 12. The arrival of a British squadron in Finnish waters created anxiety in Petrograd.