RUSSO-POLISH RELATIONS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22792, 17 January 1944, Page 6

RUSSO-POLISH RELATIONS

Hope For Satisfactory

Settlement

Frontier Problem Proving Difficult

By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 15. A statement issued by the Polish Government reads:— "The Polish Government has taken cognisance of the Soviet Government’s declaration of January 11 which was issued as a reply to the declaration by the Polish Government on January 5. The Soviet communique contain” a number of statements, a complete answer to which is afforded by the ceaseless struggle against the Germans waged at heavy cost by the Polish nation under the direction of the Polish Government. “In their earnest anxiety to safeguard the complete solidarity of the United Nations, especially at the decisive stage of their struggle against the common enemy the Polish Government considers it preferable now to refrain from further public discussions. While the Polish Government cannot recognise the unilateral decisions or accomplished facts which have taken place or might take place on territory of the Polish Republic, they have repeatedly expressed a sincere desire for a Polish-Russian agreement on terms which would be just and acceptable to both sides. To this end the Polish Government is approaching the British and American Governments with a view to securing, through their intermediaries, discussions by the Polish and Russian Governments of all outstanding questions, a settlement of which should lead to friendly permanent Polish-Russian cooperation. The Polish Government believes this to be desirable in the interests of victory of the United Nations and harmonious relations in post-war Europe.’’ Response Agreed On The Polish Cabinet is understood to have agreed on its response to the Soviet view of Russo-Polish relations, states an earlier message. A declaration expressing the Polish Government's reply to the Soviet suggestion regarding the new frontiers is therefore expected very soon. It is hoped in London that it will prove possible for the Governments 01 these two allies of Great Britain to negotiate a mutually satisfactory settlement. Moscow, in reply to the Polish statement issued when the Russian Army first drove the Germans across the 1939 frontier, offered a solution of the frontier question on the basis of the Curzon Line. That line is much nearer the partition line of 1939 than the frontier of the previous 19 years, but nevertheless it involves restoration by the Russians of large and predominantly Polish areas round Bialystock in the north and west of Lwow in the south. Moreover, the Russians offered close and friendly relations with Poland on the basis of the recently-signed SovietCzech treaty of mutual assistance, which was Itself modelled on the AngloRussian Treaty of 1942. The territorial settlement thus proposed would involve a very large sacrifice. amounting to about half the territory possessed by Poland from 1920 to 1939. and about a third of the entire population of the Republic set up ui 1919. As compensation, the Russians offer Poland German eastern territories not precisely specified, but broadly defined as giving Poland adequate access to the Baltic. To accept such an offer would not be an easy decision for any Polish Cabinet to make, still less one which has been in exile for more than four years. It is clearly the most critical step ever faced by a Government placed in such an unhappy position. Nevertheless there are grounds for hope. "The Times" emphasises the urgency of taking a decision. on the twin questions of the relations of the Russian military authorities with the Polish underground movement and the problems of administration likely to arise if the Russians occupied indisputable Polish land by crossing the Curzon Line Itself, from which they are now less than 100 miles distant. It is of the utmost importance to future Russian and Polish relations, in which the whole future of war and peace is inseparably engaged, that frank and friendly discussions between the two parties should take place on these issues before the moment arrives. If they are not to come too late, there is no time to lose. It would be a tragic failure if the present opportunity were not turned to full and prompt account, for if this is missed a recurrence of conditions equally favourable to a settlement could hardly be hoped for. Encouraging Response Authoritative British quarters regard the Polish statement as an encouraging response to the Soviet Government’s declaration, says Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent. It shows that in the Polish Government’s view as in that of the Russian Government all outstanding questions dividing them are open to negotiation with the common object of reaching a satisfactory settlement. British official quarters, whose desire throughout has been to see agreement reached between the two Allies, warmly welcome this development. “The Times,” in a leader, says the Polish declaration is an act of wise statesmanship. It is high time to pass from a stote of indirect controversy at long range to that of direct discussion between the two parties. "The Tinifis" says the Polish attitude will be received with the warmest sympathy in Britain. The most important service the British and American Governments can render immediately is to ensure that the discussions, for which both parties are ready, shall begin without delay. Agreement would change the face of European politics and strike the most decisive blow of which diplomacy is capable against the Germans long-term aggressive ambitions. , The Polish Government s request that Britain and America should act as intermediaries in the negotiations with Russia for the settlement of territorial questions is receiving the immediate attention of Mr Cordell Hull and other high United States officials. The “New York Times'’ says the United States is disposed to collaborate with Britain in facilitating an adjustment of the differences, since the Polish question has been a source of concern to Washington. The Indications are that whether or not Moscow accepts the suggestions for mediation, both Britain and America will do their utmost to induce a resumption of Polish-Russian relations after which they will encourage each side to be reasonable in discussing details of the boundaries. Mr Roosevelt and Mr Hull are reported to have decided to grant Poland's request for Anglo-American mediation on the Russian and Polish boundary ouestion, savs the correspondent of the United Press. The State Department has been in communication with Moscow on the question, states the Washington correspondent of the "New York Times,’’ since an attempt to mediate would be useless unless Russia is willing to permit Britain and the United States to sit in on her negotiations with the Polish Government.