RUSSO-POLISH WAR

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1920, Page 3

RUSSO-POLISH WAR

* DISCUSSED IN COMMONS. (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, May 20. In the House of Commons, in the course of the Government’s attitude towards Russia and Poland, Mr Bonar Law disclaimed that the British Cabinet’s desire was to make war on Russia. He maintained, however, that the kind of Government which the Soviet professed was contrary to human nature. He declared it could not last. V 'Hie way to creatd a reasonable situak/ tion in Russia., was, in his view, to allow the Russians to work out their own salvation. It was by opening no trade much more than .by their use of armaments that the Bolshevik Government could be put down. Dealing with Poland, he said that she little ammunition which had been given to Poland* at an Ally, was intended to enable them, to defend themselves against tho attack of the Bolsheviks which threatened them in October of 1919, but 'Poland had been told that Britain would not take the responsibility of advising either peace or war, although the opinion of the British Government was against war. Mr Lloyd George, supported by the Cabinet had informed the'Polish Foreign Minister that the British did not desire to give Poland the slightest encouragement to pursue a policy of war, because it would incur responsibilitits which could not he discharged. Mr Lloyd George made it dear that the principal difficulty wn-: that the Polish Army had advanced far beyond the racial boundaries. But, he said that if Poland made a real attempt at an equable peace, find the Bolsheviks refused then Britain was hound to. assist Poland .

LONDON, Ma v 20. The Autralsinn Press Association learns thaet three Bolshevik representatives who are at precent in London, in connection with the resumption of trade relations are thire.merely to supply information to the Supreme Council regarding Russia’s supplies. Later the Allied Council will approach Rc'sin, with which there are no diplomatic relations. They can only communicate by wireless. Definite negotiations will commence when complete satisfaction has been received with reference to the fate of the remnant of Deniken’s 'Army, the release of Allied prisoners in ' Siberia and assurances regarding ib.i j , Bolshevik policy in Persia.

DOCUMENTS FOR RUSSIA. LONDON, May 22

The “Daily Express” publishes doeixments captured from an aeroplane flying to Russia, which was forced to descend In Lettland. Signatures of a British Sovietssts address to Lenin include that of Sylvia Papkhurst. Another document alludes to the payment of money to British sympathisers. Another contains a request for pearls for France, and sapphires for England.

SOVIET CONTROL IN ARMENIA. WASHINGTON, May 21. S 1 C’plpnel Haskell, the Allied High Commissioner in Armenia, was advised by the State Department that tne Bolsheviks have control of the Alexandoropol, the Armenian railway contra, It nil travel is completely tied up in Av ljf omnia. The Bolsheviks )iow control the Baku oil supplies,

A BROKEN PROMISE

(Received this day at, 8 a.m.)

LONDON, May 22. The latest Caspian advices show Bplsheviks are breaking their promise t-o advance beyond Enzeli. Additional troops have landed at Glievzin on the south Caspian coast and seized the interior communications. The Reds are now apparently encircling Resht, to which the British retired from En'seli. A RED REPORT, (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, May 21. A’ Bolshevik <jjvireless communique ~ff states the pursuit of the retreating enemy continues in Poloatak region. We occupied a number of villages east. ■ ward of Drumen after fierce fighting. Aeroplenes bombed the enemy positions and assisted our crossing the Beregina river. POLAND GOES BLACK. , (Received This Day at 8 a.m.) • LONDON, May 21. The executive of the National Union of Railwnymen instructed members to refuse to handle any material intended tq assist Poland against Russia. RUSSIAN 'OPERATIONS. (AUSTRALIAN )<fe N.Z. CARPI? ASSOCIATION /. it ItKTJTEK.] (Received this day at 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, May 21. An authoritative comment on the Polish operations shows that to attain the Dneiper line, the Poles advanced on a front of 250 miles to an average depth of 10 to 150 miles in sixteen days. There is no confirmation of the reported capture of Odessa by Ukranians.

Referring to Siberia, it is stated the Reds attacked Japanese east of Verkhnowdinek and were defeated with a loss of three hundred killed. Japanese cas. nalties were two. The quality of the Siberian troops is of the poorest, and showed no inclination to fight. Other Rod forces are assembling west and south of Nekolaievsk.

SIBERIAN BUFFER STATE. (Received this day at 8.40 a.m.) PEKIN, May 21. I Ex-Bolshevik leader, Krasnochkoff, self styling himself Foreign Minister, has notified the Allied High Commissioners in Siberia of the formation of a' buffer State callpd Verchneuninsk, consisting of the territories eastward of #ce Baikal, including Kamschatka and thu]in. KrashocHkoff requests evae- . nation from Siberia of all Allied forces, * including Japanese. It is believed the movement is inspired from Moscow, but is not taken seriously.

RUSSIAN OPERATIONS. I (Received this day at 9.30 n.m.) ! • LONDON, May 21. I A Warsaw correspondent reports the I Bolsheviks counter-attacked against the Poles on Dvvina-Bcresina front. It was a furious affair resulting in the ftattenj ing out of the Lepel salients. After j the first sudden onset, however, the I ltcds again showed poor morale, leaving their commanders unable to exploit the success. A continuous of heavy fighting is expected, but the Polish staff is satisfied with the situation. • BOLSHEVIK REPORT. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 22. A wireless Bolsheviks communique

say.— We are energetically advancing in Polotsk region and have reached a im.' ten miles south-westward of J’olotsK. AVe occupied several villages further west and forced Tchernitka river. There was stubborn fighting on the right hank of Beresinc river. AA 7 © occupied several villages. A particularly fierce engagement in Unimen direction resulted' in our favour. Elsewhere the advance is developing satisfactorily. .