RUSSO-POLISH CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 279, 19 August 1920, Page 5

RUSSO-POLISH CRISIS

DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS LABOUR'S THREAT OF DIRECT ACTION FORMIDABLE CHALLENGE TO DEMOCRACY / By Telegraph-Preas Association-Copyright London, August IC. Following Mr. Bonar Law in the House of Commons debate, Mr. Asquith said ho considered the Government had taken the proper course in its communication with Poland. It would be monstrous for the Government to undertake further warlike operations without the approval of Parliamont. The peace of the world was now a thing worth purchasing at almost any price short of dishonour. Moreover, peace ought not to bo beyond the resources of the combined statesmanship of Europe, with the help of the League of Nations. \ Mr. J, R. Clynes disagreed with the statement that there had not been any variation from the peaceful purpose of the Government throughout the past weak. Ho declared that thero would .have been less -suspicion if the people had known what was transpiring at the recent conferences. He disputed the contention that the Council of Action was challenging tho Constitution, because the League of .Nations was part of their Constitution, and it had not been used in this matter. He emphasised that if the Government refused at' such a time to use a part of the Constitution which was made for peace then the workmen must not forfeit the right to strike if war could thus be prevented.' Lord Robert Cecil said ho dissociated himself from the view that the Government negotiations had noon successfully conducted. He said the threat of direct action was a threat of insurrection. Last Tuesday there wna not any danger that Britain would be dragged into a sudden war; nevertheless Labour uttered an ill-advised threat, which would have unfortunate results in the future.

Mr. Lloyd George deprecated using the League of Nations as a weapon to attack the Government. He pointed out that the existence of tho League was largely duo to British support. The Government stood by the League. The League could not be invoked hitherto in regard to Poland, as the action of the' League depended on the unanimity of its members. It was useless to attempt to conceal the fact that the Allira differed in regard to the RussoPolish. situation. Consequently tho League could not have done more to reach some measure of agreement than the Supreme Council had done and was doing. Furthermore, Russia had emphatically refused any intervention by the League. Mr. Lloyd George refuted tho criticism with regard to the secrecy of the Supreme Council's meetings, and declared that 'they had been given full publicity. Mr. Clynes claimed to be a Democrat constitutionalist. Mr. Clynos argued that the constitution was an unwritton one. That was incorrect. When a new body was established and substituted for Parliament, it was a dangerbus doctrine. Labour had suddenly established a body of men who said: "We will formulate a part of tho constitution for ourselves. Wo will not submit it to Parliament, becauso eleoted representatives don't count. Therefore, we are going to declare, 'by a .resolution carried, after two or three hours' discussion, tbat' henceforth tho constitution shalj include tho committee of action, representing ono section of the community." That, tho Primo Minister said, was one of tho most formidable challenges ever given to Democracy, and without hesitation every Government must accept the challenge. The Labour Party knew perfectly ■ what was tho policy of j the Government, and their action when there was no issue involving peril to tho community, and when the Government had taken the responsibility in full accord with public opinion, was tho most unjustifiable action ever undertaken by a responsible body in this country. It was done to impress the pcoplo with the idea that without this dire threat tlio country would be plunged into war. Every responsible Labour member knew that tho Government was striving strenuously and consistently for pdiace. He hoped soon to bo able to publish the Government's dispatches to Poland. They would show that Britain had deprecated the Polish invasion, and had solemnly warned the Poles that if invasion was 'undertaken, they could not count on tho nupport of British opinion. Tho Government had not deviated a hair's breadth from its policy throughout. In concluding, Mr. Lloyd George emphasised tho need for preserving tho unity of the nation as it was preserved in the face of greater danger;, but resolutions like those of the Council of Action on Friday Inst, he said, would not help the cause of Peace. Such action roused deep fear and anxiety in the minds of millions! as to what it all meant, and fear was mostly the causo of. war. This fear was that the democratic institutions of the country were to bo subverted by somo tyrannical idea imposed by force of arms. "I ask them not to repeat that experiment. If they do it will be difficult to preserve the atmosphere of calm judgment essential to the peace of the world. — Router.

PREMIER REPLIES TO KAMENEFF NO INTENTION OF RECOGNISING WRANGEL. (lee. August 19, 1.30 a.m.) London, August 17. Mr. Lloyd George, replying to M. Kaineneff's letter, states that after tho withdrawal of General Denikin, the Government was only concerned to ensure the security of the troops and refugees under General Wrangel, and to put them in a position to defend themselves in the Crimea until a guarantee of safety was accorded them. The Government had no intention of encouraging the Wrangel offensive, and as soon as it heard of such a possibility, Britain issued a warning regarding it, intimating that she would not have any responsibility for it, and would immediately withdraw the British military mission. Mr. Lloyd George further points out that Kamenetf's account of the British proposal of July 11 is inaccurate. The British Government did not reply to Tehitcherin's telegram of June 11 because active negotiations were then proceeding with Krassin. Britain suggested an armistice snould be signed with AVrangel conditional on Wrangel's . forces retir•Jf? to the Crimea, and that Wrangel should be invited to London to discuss the future of his troops and tho refugees ho was defending, but not as a member of the conference. Tho object or the proposal was to end tho hostilities in Eastern Europe, emphasise that British anxiety was, as part .of tho general proposal for a peace conference, to secure the personal safety of the troops and refugees in the Crimea, but not intending to detach the Crimea from Russia or secure its possession for Wrangel. The Government entirely adheres to this attitude, and has no intention of recognising Wrangel or assisting him, and it is only in tlie event of thci Soviet proposing torms to Poland infringing on tho independence of Poland that Britain would feel bound to reconsider this attitude.—Reuter.

[Kameneif, in h'is letter to Mr. Lloyd George; said that Russia was anxious to learn Britain's final decision regarding General "Wrangel. The letter charged Britain with maintaining the attitudo of protector of Wrangel, and enabling Wrangel to prepare for a fresh blow, an attitudo which culminated in France's recognition. Britain throughout, lie said, hhd refused to undertake any practical sleps to achi&vo peaco in South Russia/] "PEACE WlTiilisiA SUNDAY" BEING ORGANISED BY COUNCIL OF ACTION. London, Augußt 17. The Council of Action is appealing to all workors to organise August 22 as

'Pence with Russia Sunday." Tho movement is lo includo every city, town, and village iln tho country. It asks for tho holding of mass demonstrations in favour of on immediate peace between Russia and Britain, "no more support for French militarism, no more trickery."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn. PERMANENT SITTING OF COUNCIL DEPRECATED. London, August 17. Mr. W. Brace, president of the South Wales Miners' Federation, in an interview, deprecated the proposal to keep tho Council of Action permanently sitting. He said chaos and confusion would follow such a course. The council, howover, should now concentrate upon tho Russo-PoHsh situation, tho cancellation of the Supreme Council, and the establishment of machinery to make the League of Nations effective, with a view to securing world peace.—Aus.-N.Z. Oiblo Assn. BRITISH LABOUR DELEGATES EXPELLED BY FRENCH GOVERNMENT. (Rec. August 18, 8.55 p.m.) Paris, August 18. The Government has expelled Messrs. Adamson and Gosling, who were dispatched from London to Paris by the Council of Action to confer with the General Confederation of Workers and tho French Socialists regarding the Polish situation, —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. WARSAW'S DEFENCES RESTORED REDS DRIVEN BACK. London, August 17. OffioNil circles have no confirmation of the Bolshevik claim that Warsaw has fallen. On the contrary, their advices show that the Poles counter-attacked on tho south-eastern front and drove back tho Mb, and that the line of defence covering Warsaw from the south-east is now completely restored. The Polish counter-attack was launched on receipt of information that the Bolsheviks had transferred several divisions against Wrangel.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

PRESSURE ON CITY BELIEVED BY COUNTER-STROKE. _ Warsaw, August. 17. General Pilsudskfs counter-stroke has relieved the procure on Warsaw, and the Russians are retiring in confusion.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. REDS TERRORISING POLISH POPULACE. Stockholm, August 17. The Bolshevik organ "Isvestia." publishes an order by the Soviet authorities in KM, ordering that there 6hould be no forbearance towards the population of_ Poland. The population of entire districts is almost entirely annihilated. Rich farmers have been exterminated, and all agricultural produce' seized. Anybody found in possession of a single cartridge is executed.—Am.-N.Z. Cable A«nHEAVY FIGHTING IN CRIMEA BOLSHEVIK TROOPS ATTACKING! VIGOROUSLY. Constantinople, August 17. ■ Heavy fighting is proceeding in the Crimea. Bolshevik troops from the Polish front aro attacking vigorously, supported by massed aeroplane bombing attacks. General Wrangel is holding his own. Wrangel's raiders crossed the Don and occupied Konstantinovskaya, cutting the Tsaritzine-Ekaterinoday railway, and threatening to isolate the Kuban Cossacks.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.