LLOYD GEORGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1920, Page 3

LLOYD GEORGE.

neuter's Telegrams LONDON, July 22. Mr Lloyd George lias made a statement regarding the Spa Conference. Ho said lie was very hopeful that Turkey would sign the Peace Treaty, liocause tile Turks would recognise this as the best means of enabling the Porte to retain t'he Dominions still left her, and to start life on a surer and sounder basis. The question of Poland had, he said, vi.vn the Allies great anxiety. The Polish attack on Russia, lie said, was reckless and foolish. The excuse for it was the Bolshevik’s interference in Polish affairs. Poland was afraid, and legitimately afraid of Soviet Russia. Poland was anxious to have a buffer State be tween her and Russia.

(Received this day at 8 a.m.), LONDON, July 22. Hon Lloyd George continued:—An Independent Poland was essential to the

whole fabric of peace. Tf Bolshevists overran Poland they-marched right lip to the German frontier. That would he a great temptation to Germany and would afford a cheap way for Germans to escape their obligations. There were millions of trained men in Germany. The effect of the Bolshevists over-run-ning Poland might bo to deprive the Allies of the fruit of victory. Therefore the Allies concluded they must take steps to arrest the destruction of Poland and the march of Bolshevik armies through Poland. A note sent from Spa to the Soviet Government, was sent with the full consent of the Allies. Tt was made clear to I’oland by the Allies that they would assist Poland to defend their own frontier and own independence. The Polish Premier undertook to withdraw the Polish army to*the legi_ timate frontier of Poland, and defend the. frontier and seek peace on that basis. Hon Lloyd George described the Soviet Government’s reply as ambiguous and largely propaganda so far- as fie understood it. The Soviet said they were willing to negotiate with Poland directly. They alleged thp Allies had treated Poland badly in fixing the boundary. They wanted to give more to Poland and promised to consider an armistice in a -friendly spirit. Apparently they were only prepared to discuss the matter with a proletariat Government. Thy Soviet was not entitled to dictate to Poland what sort of Government who should have. In order to test the Soivet’s bona tides, the Allies advised Poland to apply to the Soviet for an armistice with a view to making peace. In ouy reply t,o, Moscow we were hound to make, it e-iear that if despite the Polish application for an armistice Hussain armies still marched op, we would give Poland such assistance as. we could. We are bound tq do everything in opr power to avert tin*,wiping out of Poland, which would be fatal to the peace of Europe, The Premier stated that Russian fielegates (pniing tq England \\on|d remain ( Rovai pending the Soviet’s further reply. Peace was a question of time, however. Britain and France had already sent envoys to Pqtond tp investigate the. question of assisting the people fo defend the frontiers, Referring to Germany, Hon Lloyd George thought Falirenbach and Yon Simons were honourable upright men, doing their best to c-ope with the gigantic difficulties but the Allies were not (Oufideut flint they could carry out the Treaty. Regarding reparations, he emphasised tho fact that the Allies, bad reached a complete understanding thereon. The scheme submitted by the Germans for liquidating reparations was most valuable ,as giving clear proof the Germans were making’ real efforts to grapple with the problem 1 of the indemnity. There was no attempt at evasion.

Dealing with arrangements tjvqi’ tfm epaf question, Hon 'Llpyd‘George saicl no dqubt flip population of Germany wore gravely underfed. Figures were submitted showing infantile mortality was appalling, while investigations here out (ho assertion that the miners were unable to produce the quota of coal required, because they were underfed. Therefore arrangements were made 4hat more than half the value of the coal produced be advanced to provide them with necessary food apd fUitbjng. The Conference, hail made arrangements (Vi den 1 effectively with Avar criminals at an early date. Regarding disarmament, the. Premier expressed the option that the naval pprfioa would he completed by the. end of September. -Considerable progress, was also made with the military programme, hut there vfttrs still three million uu.summdeml rifles Ip Germany while, although twenty-five thousand guns had been surrendered, only about half were destroyed. Ihe Al-

lies were now destroying a weekly. .It was estimated there were still about nine hundred thousand armed men in Germany and also too much war material spread about the country. The position was dangerous. The Allies j therefore insisted on the issup pf a PVW- ( elamation ilomaiuliug the surrender of rifles by September. ' Hqu Mr Asquith, while regretting the Bowers, had not succeeded ip proventing | Bolapd from embarking upon a foolish . adventure, agreed that Boland must not me over-run by the llolshoviks. j I The Allies should take steps on the in- , i itiative of the League of Nations. I j Him. Lloyd George, intervening, said ! one of the most vehement portions of the Bolshevik reply was the refusal to j have anything to do with the League. I j Mr Asquith, continuing, expressed ' satisfaction that the Spa Conference saw the desiriVblste*s. revising the Treaty in regard to coal and disarma-

ment." He hoped consideration would lie further extended, as experience was gained', of the, working of the Treaty. Hon. Lloyd George, replying to a 1 question, disclaimed British responsihili- ! ty for General Wrangcl’s operations. , The Bolshevik reply olfercd an amnesty j to Wr angel, and we were anxious for peace on the basis of the independence of Poland.' Ho referred to false impressions in Russia as regards the British, which made negotiations for pence almost impossible. He believed the Bolsheviks would lie greatly mistaken if they invaded Poland, where the forces were more formidable than they in^ouiu-