SOVIET INVASION OF POLAND

Evening Star, Issue 23374, 18 September 1939, Page 9

SOVIET INVASION OF POLAND

New Turn in European Events

Move Foreseen by Britain and France

Now Declared Act of Aggression by Polish Embassy

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright

LONDON, September 17 (Received September 18, at 10.15 a.m.)

The Polish Embassy to-day declared Russia's invasion of Poland an act of aggression. A representative hurried to the Foreign Office to discuss the new turn in events. Official quarters said they could not speculate on the implications of the Anglo-Polish Non-aggression Pact until the precise facts were determined. It was asserted, however, that the possibility of such action as Russia had taken had been taken into account by Britain and France from the moment the German-Russian Non-aggression Pact was signed. Well-informed quarters in London discourage speculative interpretations of the significance of the turrr of events —some of which tend to go far ahead of the news itself in forecasting far-reaching developments. What can be said with confidence is that from , the date of the Soviet-German Pact onwards the possibility of the re-orientation of Soviet policy along the lines to which it may now be turning has never been overlooked in responsible circles, and it may therefore be assumed that if tho Soviet Government decided to take the role ascribed to if in current reports this event would not find the British and French Governments unprepared in their calculations. The Polish Embassy in London advised that the Polish forces are strenuously resisting the Soviet troops along the frontier. The Polish Legation at Berne announced that a Soviet attack on Molodeczno, 20 miles from the border, had been repulsed. It added that the Russians, who are apparently following the main east and west railway lines, have aimed three separate drives against 'Wilno, and two others against Pinsk. A British Official Wireless message from Rugby states that there is no official confirmation in London of the Moscow report that Poland was handed a Note announcing the Soviet’s intention to occupy the Polish I/kraine and White Russia. The reports add' that Poland declined to accept the Note. 1 Copies are stated*to have been handed to the diplomatic representatives of certain other Powers, but so far there is no indication that the British, French, or American Embassies in Moscow received, copies. .

Official Japanese circles state that the Russian military action is “ the natural Result of the Russian-Japanese armistice, which has relieved the Soviet of immediate pressure in the Far East.” The London office of the American United Press reports that the Soviet move caused an overwhelming reaction. There is no attempt to conceal the magnitude of the blow to the Allies' cause.

Government sources intimated that Cabinet would probably meet late to-day, and that Parliament will be called together to-morrow.

Mr Arthur Greenwood, acting leader of the Labour Party, eaidf “ One thing is certain —whatever happens, Britain’s pledge to Poland will be honoured.”

Under the Anglo-Polish agreement, if the Poles formally declare the Russian advance to be an act of aggression Britain will be obliged to aid them.

. A copy of the Russian Note has now been handed to representatives of all nations with which Russia has diplomatic relations. It is largely along the lines of M. Molotov's broadcast, and gives notice of the intention of the Red Army to march with the object of “ freeing the Polish people from war and to give them an opportunity of beginning a peaceful life.”