SOVIET PROPOSALS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 January 1944, Page 3

SOVIET PROPOSALS

FOR SETTLEMENT OF POLISH FRONTIER BASED ON CURZON LINE. AND TERRITORIAL TRANSFERS FROM GERMANY. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, January 8. The Russian Government has made definite proposals for a compromise settlement of the territorial dispute with Poland, says the “Observer’s” diplomatic correspondent. Under the proposals which are reported to have British and American approval, the new Russian-Polish frontier would be based, with certain modifications, on the 1920 Curzon line, which runs roughly due south from the southernmost point of Lithuania. Russia would return Grodno and Bialystok to Poland, but would retain Vilna and the rest of east Poland. Russia and her allies to compensate Poland envisage Poland's frontiers extending westward by the inclusion of German territory. The Russian proposals are believed to have been made before the Red Army last week crossed the old Polish frontier.

“Before us lies the great task of the reconstruction,of Poland. London Fascists, treading in the I'ootsteps of Dr. Goebbels' propaganda, have spread rumours that we intend to Sovietise Poland. No one today believes such futilities. But it its true that we wish, to build up a democratic parliamentary Poland in which the whole nation will have a say in matters of government.”

This statement, attributed .to spokesman of the Union of Polish Patriots and broadcast to Poland from Moscow, is quoted by. Reuters. “If we are all to safeguard the nation’s security, a central nucleus of authority must come into being which will preserve us from all Fascist designs,” said the spokesman. "If there are people in London to whom the nation’s freedom is dear, as no doubt there are, let them come out openly and courageously against all who are holding handcuffs ready for the future Poland. Polish troops grasp better than these professional politicians that Poland must be rebuilt in fraternal alliance with the White Russians, the Ukrainians, and the Czechs. The Polish soldier understands that the frontier problems must be settled once and for all. The Polish soldier appreciates that Poland, firmly entrenched on the Baltic and enriched by economically valuable territory taken from the Germans, can build peace and happiness.’