POLISH SITUATION

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160725, 11 August 1920, Page 2

POLISH SITUATION

ALLIES IN AGREEMENT By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright LONDON. August 9. The Hythe Conference finished with, a short afternoon sitting held owing to the receipt of further communications from Soviet sources, after which Mr Lloyd George and M. Millerand returned to their respective capitals.. The former, upon his departure, was accorded an ovation. It is officially stated that the Allies arc in comnlcte agreement in regard to action with reference to the Polish situation, subject, however, in the case of Britain 'to approval by Parliament. It is understood the Allies are determined to support the Poles by technical advice and munitions,* also possibly by naval measures, but Allied troops will not bo employed, furthermore, it is semi-dficially explained that the British Government, for three months, bad doue its utmost to induce Russia to come to terms with a view to removing the serious condition of affairs in Eastern Europe, but the Russians appear determined to crush the Poles and impose upon Poland a form of government to which the great majority of the Poles strongly object. The Allies feel it their duty to do everything possible to enable the Poles to maintain independence, because Poland was created by the Treaty of Versailles. Neverthelcte, the issue must largely depend on the ability of the Poles themselves, with such help as aforementioned, to repel the Russian attacks. TEE MINSK CONFERENCE. LONDON, August 9. The Minsk Conference between the Poles and Russians will be held on August 10th. If the latter then indicate their willingness to make reasonable terms different' considerations will apply. It is probable KrOssin and Kameneff will be permited to remain in London -until after August 11th in order that the Government may learn what occurs at Minsk. In the ©vent of the Minsk negotiations failing it is likely the Government will ask lirassin and Kameneff to leave Britain on the ground that it is impossible to negotiate with them while the Allies are simultaneously taking steps to assist, the Poles. BRITISH LABOUR THREAT GENERAL STRIKE IP WAR. LONDON, August 10. The joint political, industrial, and Labour organisations’ unanimous decision is an unprecedented action in the history of the Labour movement. It means that if Britain decides to institute war measures against Russia a national congress of trade unions will be hold within a few hours to declare an immediate general strike, involving six million workers. Sectional Labour protests continue. There is every indication that a great mass of the working population is united behind the leaders. The Council of Action appointed by the conference has arranged am interview with Air Lloyd George to-day. The actual decision of the Allies regarding Russia will be deferred until they know" the result of the Russo-Polish deliberations at Minsk on Wednesday. The Russian terms, which will there be disclosed, will be regarded as a test of Russia’s bona tides. France would welcome stronger Allied action. Mr I.loycl Georgs probably welcomes Labour’s emphatic pronouncement as providing solid grounds for' non-interven-tion.

ULTIMATUM TO GOVERNMENT. LONDON, August 9. The Labour Conference held in the House of Commons passed the following resolution: “That this joint conference, representing the Trades Union Congress, the Labour Tarty, and Parliamentary Labour Parly, feels certain a war is being engineered between the Allied Powers and bovine Russia over Poland; declares such a war an in tolerable crime against humanity: warns the Government that tii-o whole industrial power of organised workers will be used to defeat this war; that the executive committee's affiliated organisations throughout the country be summoned to hold themselves ready to proceed immediately to Loiidon for a national conference; that they be advised to instruct members to down tools on instructions from that *<tional conference; that the Council be immediately constituted to take such steps necessary to carry this decision into effect.” The decision is unquestionably an ultimatum to the Government that a new war will mean'a general strike all over the country. A prominent Labourite declares that the decision is nob only a-threat but a decision that will materialise if necessary. Considerable enthusiasm prevailed at the conference following the adoption of the resolution. The extreme wing urged immediate direct action, but the moderates, although equally favouring a firm attitude/'securecl the adoption of moro constitutional procedure. A PAPAL LETTER. ROME, August 10. The Pops has issued a letter calling the Catholic hierarchy’s attention to Poland’s critical condition. The Pope says the Holy See was the only Power in the world which protested against the iniquitous partition of Poland. Now not only Poland is imperilled, but the whole of Europe is again threatened with the horrors of fresh wars. God grant that devout Poland may be spared this supreme misfortune and that anaemic Europe may not suffer this new scourge. MUNITIONS FOR POLAND. LONDON, August 9. Mr Bonar Law, closely questioned in the House of Commons as to whether Britain had sent munitions to Poland, preserved a guarded attitude, but definitely stated that Britain had not yet sent munitions from Britain, though it did not follow that this would not lie done. POLISH ARMY DEMORALISED. LONDON, August 9. A despatch from Warsaw on Monday states: The Polish army is demoralised, and the fall of Warsaw is imminent.