PROBLEM OF POLAND

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160730, 17 August 1920, Page 2

PROBLEM OF POLAND

FATE OF WARSAW DEFENDING ARMY IN POSITION. By Telegraph.— Press Assn.—Copyright. ' LONDON, August 15. The Daily Chronicle’s correspondent gt Warsaw reports that when the Polish army’s retreat upon the defensive position became known the result was a great exodus. The hotels, cafes, and business centres were strangely deserted, only the diplomatic representa* tives remaining, The- Italian Minister and the Pajial Nuncio and others have gone t-> Posen, whither the Government intends to go if it becomes necessary to evacuate the capital. 'The army is now safely back upon the Vistula, almost everywhere within prepared positions, where :t awaits the Bolshevik attack, either frontally against- tho bridgeheads or by an outflanking move across the "Vistula. The Polish military circles blieve that a fronthi’ attack can be shattered, in which event the Poles will advance. It is also believed that an advance will be the best reply to an outflanking movement. Posen regiments are mainly responsible for the construction of the defences. They were former ly German troops and have done work extremely efficiently. Much depends upon leadership. Hitherto the Polish troops have suAVcd through lack of co-operation between their officers and French officers who are attached to various commands. The principal centres of military activity are the bridgeheads, where there is much movement of finelymounted cavalry. The most notable figure is a bareheaded woman. POLITICAL FACTIONS. Owing to censorship and the cessation of Parliamentary proceedings, it is difficult to learn what is transpiring politi rally, but there is little doubt that Dmowski aims at overthrowing the Gov* eminent. He delivered a speech at Posen on Thursday, demanding many reforms. Dmowski has already estab* lished a so-called Government in Posen. Much depends upon the attitude of the army, which at present is devoted to• Pilsudaki, but the Pcsen regiments, which are the flower of the army, might well side with Dmowski, and the fall of Warsaw might weaken the allegiance of the other troops. It is hinted that Dmowski is backed by an Entente Power, which sees iu him the best chance of continuing tho war against Russia. His clvuiic will certainly come if Russia dictates excessive terms, but this would involve Poland in civil war, for Dmowski is a reactionary and believes in a Big Poland. He has long led the Polish party in the Russian Duma, 1.-ut favoured Poland remaining part of Russia. He is a bitter opponent of Pilsudski. FIGHTING FOR THE CAPITAL. LIFE-AND-DEATH STRUG GLE. LONDON, August 16. Tl.c-ro are conflicting accounts in regard to events at Warsaw. The Daily News’ Berlin correspondent says a great stngglo is iu progress. Reports from Russian sources declare that there was desperate hand-to-hand lighting on Saturday iu the suburbs and that heavy guns have been bombarding the city since Friday night. The Daily Express’ Warsaw correspondent, telegraphing on Saturday, says; A life-and-death struggle has begun. The Polish army stands in positions chosen by French advisers. Tho first serious test was on Friday night, when the Bolsheviks captured Radzimin, which the Poles re-tock on Saturday. The town has since been the scene of a desperate light between dense masses of infantry < n both sides. Latest reports state that the town remains in Polish hands The town is an important part of Warsr-v's defences. Over sixty tanks participated. The Russian-) are apparently searching for a weak spot. Their artillery is increasingly active.

I lie Daily Express’ Warsaw correspondent say.«; Through Friday night fir s raged in many parts of Warsaw. Red and white beacon lights announced serious outbreaks. The authorities attribute this to Red agents, seeking to produce panic. CAPTURE OF SOLDAU WATCHED BY GERMANS. WHO SUBSEQUENTLY REJOICE. LONDON, August 16. The Daily News’ Berlin correspondent slates: Several hours’ fierce fighting preceded the Russian capture of Soldau, in the Polish Baltic corridor. Masses of cavahvry poured in and have since gone southward, apparently in order to participate in the attack” on Warsaw. The battle for Soldau was fought close to the German frontier and iras watched by thousands of Germans. Heavy gnus bombarded the town all day long. The infantry advanced at dusk Desperate fighting took place in woods outside the town Idle German burgomaster welcomed the Russian troops and expressed the Germans’ delight at liberation from the Polish terror. The Daily News’ Berlin correspondent states; The Russian commander said: I solemnly pledge myself that w-o will not leave this old German -territory until it is restored to Germany. Russian military bands played German marches. The Russians issued a proclamation slating their intention to occupy the v/holc corridor. They would not establish Soviets, but entrust tho civilian administration to the former German authorities. The Germans decorated the toivn with German flags and flower 3 in honour of the Russians, who are fraternising with the inhabi* tants. The Russian commander issued stem orders against military offenders, including death, for violence or robbery. The German press applauds these proofs of friendliness and warmly praises the Russian discipline.

FRENCH TROOPS SIDE-TRACKED. BY GERMAN WORKMEN. Reuter- BERLIN, August 16. A Silesian newspaper reports that German workmen, in order to enforce their demands that the movement of Allied troops cease during the EussoPolish war, side-tracked a number of French troop trains in Upper Silesia and placed guards over them to pre vent them proceeding.