NOTE TO RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 257, 24 July 1920, Page 7

NOTE TO RUSSIA

INACCURACIES IN SOVIET REPLY BRITAIN ADVISES POLAND TO ASK FOR ARMISTICE PEACE ON FAIR TERMS ' EXPECTED (By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright ("Rec. July 23, 11.50 p.m.) London, July 22. A British Note to Russia points out several inaccuracies in the Soviet reply, and also announces that Britain, in view of the Soviet's willingness to grant an armistice, has advised "oland to ask for an armistice. The No.o adds that Britain believes the Soviet will grant peace oil fair ternis, .and waives the suggestion of a London conference— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PRESS VIEWSJTTHE SITUATION London, July 22. The Polish situation and Mr. Lloyd George's comments upon it are the outstanding topics of the day. The "Daily Telegraph" says the Poles must be saved. Marshal Foch consistently declined to encourage a Polish offensive, on the ground that Napoleon's example was a warning to lesser geniuses not to emulate the invasion of Russia; but he will go to Poland; if the Bolshevik invasion continues, in order to organise the Polish rear defences, which have been neglected, like those of Italy in 1917. This will show the Bolsheviks that the Western Powers cannot be flouted with impunity. . The "Chronicle" says that if the Soviet's reply is for war, we and our Allies will have no option but to take up the challenge. The. "Daily Express" says that war with Russia will tax to the limit the resources which the Allies mobilised from 1914 to 1918.

The "Daily News" strongly objects to the League of.Nations intervening ill Poland now. "Nothing would discredit the League more than declining to lift a finger to restrain one of its members from a piece of lawless buccaneering, and then intervening at the moment the folly of that member has begun to recoil upon its own head. The Allies must clear the matter up." The AVarsaw correspondent of the "Daily Express" says there is no sign that the Poles are ready to consider an armistice. Many volunteer regiments have been formed in answer to General Pilsudski's call to arms, including <i battalion of peasants armed with scythes. Countless refugees from the battle region are flooding Poland.' The Bolsheviks are fiercely striving to capture Grodno and force the Niemen River.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. LEAGUE CORRECTS MIS-STATE-MENTS. (Rec. July 23, 11.50 p.m.) London, July 22. The League of Nations issues'a denial of the "Daily News's" statement, 1 and points out that the Leaguo has never offered mediation beitwcen Poland and the Soviet. The subject has never been brought before the League. The suggestion that any member of the League's Secretariat had endeavoured to persuade Rumania or any other country jt.o undertake hostilities against: Russia w<as entirely false. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REDS INVADINGJPOLISH TERRITORY CONTACT" FORM.]® WITH BAST.

PRUSSIA. London; July 21. The "Morning Post's" Warsaw correspondent says the news that the Soviet Government has rejected tho armistice proposals came as a relief alter the period of restless uncertainty. Fighting is now actually occurring at Grodno and Jvovel, while Bolshevik cavalry is reported at Bialvslok, evacuation of which is in progress. The most significant news to-day is that the Bolsheviks are crossing tlio line of the Congress of Poland, invading territory which is admittedly purely Polish in population; The Bolsheviks liavo now formed contact with East Prussia. The penetration was effected over the Niemen River. There is> little likelihood l that tlio Bolsheviks will receive cooperation or sympathy in East Prussia, which is reactionary; but the fact that communication has been established between Soviet Russia and Germany is regarded as an event of the first con-sequence.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Copenhagen, July 21. Telegrams from Kovno state that three Bolshevik armies are being thrown into Lithuania, all marching along different roads towards Warsaw. It is reported that a national spirit prevails. One Bolshevik general declared, "Wo are not Bolsheviks, but Russians, fighting the enemies of the nation."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. July 24, 0,15 a.m.) . London, July 23. The War Office announces that the Bolsheviks have occupied Seiny, within the Polish boundary.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FURTHER RESMCE IMPOSSIBLE' OWING TO WEAKNESS OP POLES' LEFT WING.

Paris, July 22. The "Matin's" military correspondent declares that, owing to .the weakness of tho Polish left 'wing, further resistance is impossible. The Allies have not a moment to lose if they intend to rescue Poland. The "Chicago Tribune's" Warsaw correspondent reports that civilians are beginning to leave the city, and the foreign missions, including, various 1 relief organisations, are preparing to leave. A message from Berlin states that the Bolsheviks are advancing upon Warsaw in three columns, and tho Russian cavalry has outflanked the Polish army in the region of Grodno. The Russians aro evacuating Lithuania as tho Herts advance into Poland.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assu. ALLIED MISSIONJO POLAND BRITAIN'S REPRESENTATIVES. (Rec. July 23, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, July 22. Lord D'Ahernoji, Sir Maurice Hankey, and General Radcliffe are accompanying General Wiegnnd's Mission to Poland, on behalf of Britain.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. POSSESSION OF VILNA CAUSES QUARREL BETWEEN REDS AND LITHUANIANS. (Rec. July 23, 7.45 p.m.) London, July 22. Tho latest reports state that the Bolsheviks and Lithuanians have quarrelled over the possession of Vilna. Tho Reds refuse to hand over the. city, and have begun its civil administration. The Lithuanians declined to co-operate further with tho Bolsheviks against Poland, and also refused to ratify _ the peace treaty with Russia.—"The Times." EAST PRUSSIANS^TO BE ARMED GERMAN GOVERNMENTS PLANS. Paris, July 22. The "New York Herald's" Berlin correspondent states that the German Government has completed plans to anil tlio East Prussians against the Bolsheviks. Ml available troops will bo concentrated, and rifles will lie distributed among the civilians.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. INVASION OF~RUMANIA DENIED London, July 22. A report that the Bolsheviks have invaded Rumania is officially denied, but the army has been mobilised to. resist the Bolsheviks—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.