HAS WARSAW FALLEN?

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160731, 18 August 1920, Page 9

HAS WARSAW FALLEN?

POLISH COUNTER-STROKE By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Received August 18, 9.30 a.m. NEW YORK , August 17. A Warsaw telegram states that Pilsudski's counter-stroke relieved the pressure on Warsaw, the Russians retiring in confusion. ANOTHER REPORT CITY’S DEFENCES RESTORED, Received August IS, 9.45 a.m.< LONDON, August 17. Official circles have no confirmation of the Bolshevik claim that Warsaw has fallen. On the contrary, advices show that the Poles counter-attacked on the south-eastern front, and have driven the Reds back. The line of defence covering Warsaw from tho south-east is now stated to be completely restored. The Polish counter-attack was launched on the receipt of the information that ithc Bolsheviks had transferred several divisions to operate against Wrangel. LEAGUE OF NATIONS. DEBATE IN THE COMMONS, THE LABOUR THREAT. Reuter. —August IS, 12.15 p.m. LONDON, August 16. In the Commons, following Mr Bon at Law, Mr Asquith said he considered the Government Had taken the proper course in connection with Poland. It would have been monstrous for the Government to undertake further warlike operations without Parliament's approval. The peace of the world was now a thing wortn purchasing at almost any price, short of dihouour. Moreover, peace ought not to be beyond the resources of the combined statesmanship cf Europe with the help cf the League of Nations. Mr dynes disagreed with the statement that there had not been any variation of the peaceful purpose of the throughout the past week. He declared that there would have been less suspicion if it had been known what was transpiring at recent confercnees. He disputed the contention that the Council of Action was challenging the Constitution, because the League oi Nations was part of their Constitution, and it had not been used in tlii.S connection. He emphasised that if the Government refused at such a time to use that part of the Constitution which made for peace, then the workmen must not forfeit the right to strike if wai could be thus prevented. Hon. Robert Cecil dissociated him sell from the view that the Government negotiations were successfully conducted. He said tho threat of direct action was a threat of insurrection. Last Tuesday there was no danger of Britain being dragged into a sudden war, nevertheless Lalxrnr uttered an ill-advised threat, which might have unfortunate results in the future.

Mr Lloyd George deprecated using the League of Nations as a weapon to attack the Government, and pointed out that the League's existence was largely due to British support. The Government stood by the League. The League could not )>c invoked hitherto as regards Poland, as action of the League depended on the unanimity of its members. It was useless to attempt to conceal the fact that the Allies differed as regards the Eusso-Polish situation, consequently the League could not have done more to reach some measure of agreement than the Supreme Council had done. Futhcrmore, Russia emphatically refused any intervention by the League. Continuing, Mr Lloyd George refuted the criticism as regards the secrecy cf tho Supreme Council meetings, and declared that they had been given full publicity.