ENCOURAGING REPLY

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22247, 17 January 1944, Page 3

ENCOURAGING REPLY

DESIRE FOR SETTLEMENT “ACT OF WISE STATESMANSHIP” LONDON, Jan. 15 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’s view, 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 an agreement reached between the two Allies, warmly welcome this development. The Times, in a leading article, says the Polish declaration is an act of wise statesmanship. It is high time to pass from a state of indirect controversy at long range to that of direct discussion between the two parties. Request Considered An agreement would change the face of European politics and strike the most decisive blow for which diplomacy is capable against Germany’s long-term aggressive ambitions, the Times continues. The Polish Government’s request that Britain and America act as intermediaries in the negotiations with Russia for a settlement of territorial questions is receiving the immediate attention of the Secretary of State. Mr Cordell Hull, and other high United States officials. The Times particularly 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 what is indisputably 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 Russian and Polish relations, in which the whole future of war and peace are inseparably engaged, that frank and friendly discussions between the two parties take place on these issues before that moment arrives If they are not to pome too late, there is no time to lose. It would be a tr&gic failure if the present. opportunity were not turned to full and ororpot account, for if this chance is missed a recurrence of conditions equally favourable to a settlement could hardly be hoped for.” The New York Times says the United States is disposed to collaborate with Britain in facilitating the adjustment of differences, since the Polish question has been a source of concern in Washington. 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 discussion details and boundaries.