Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, AUGUST 13th, 1920. THE PLIGHT OF POLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, AUGUST 13th, 1920. THE PLIGHT OF POLAND

The plight of Poland soems to be rawarning to the world at large not to plunge recklessly into a state of war with a neighbor. 'Last of all is it advisable to frolic in that way with a vast and resourceful country like ■Russia. The history of Russia during ■ the past six years is a revelation, as to the tremendous strength of that great ! country. How it has lasted out the period is one of the surprises, which even a neighbor like Poland had not come to realise clearly—or the Poles would not bo in the plight they are today. It would be difficult to say how often Russia has been “beaten” during tho period of the Great War and its aftormSith, first by its enemies, by its ( own reorganised, self. Withal the eneri gy sapped and the blood-letting, Russia, as Poland has discovered has come again > like the veritable steam roller she is, j and flattened out the unfortunate Poles , who are glad to sue for peace on any \ terms, and who but for the over-shad-l owing of the Allies who possess now rather a moral than a military sway against'Russia, have intervened as a friend more than an ally. The Allies, of course, have certain obligations to Poland, and these must be fulfilled out of regard both for the future of the country, as for the rest of Europe. Poland stands as a buffer state between Russia and Western Europe, and the Poles were rather carried away by their prominent position. But they are wiser now, and will be more ready to listen to the advice of those who would of necessity seek to help them extricate themselves with some degree of honor. Poland appears to have been the main aggressor, probably surmising if she got into difficulties, help would be at hand. But the material help she wanted did not materialise, and site must suffer a full measure of discomfiture. As to tho plight of Poland, there lias .to bo considered' what is the real strength of the Red Terror menace of Bolshevism from Russia and also what is the at.tijtudo of G.erniany. There 5 are three problems involved, a,ad each it is clear piust h. 6 {\ettj,cd by diplomatic measures rather jbhap jfche force of arms. A new age >s arriving, apd the plight 1 of Poland is demonstrating it. The British Prime Minister is credited with being the master key to the position and the fact that despite a tremendous mea-

sure of poulnr objection to trade or any other intercourse with Red Russia, Mr Lioyd George is still maintaining overtures with the Soviet representatives, thera is hope for the peaceful settlement the situation almost seems to im-

pose. Britain naturally has to prepare for emergencies, and certain naval if not military preparations are being carried on meanwhile, Taut in diplomacy as in other forms of transaction, a measure of bluff is sure to creep in. The fact is, since American withdrew from apart in the settlement of the Treaty she in such a large measure moulded, a tremendous responsibility "'as thrown upon Britain. Perhaps in the end tliis is as well. It has defined the position and responsibility, and tlio statesmen of Britain knew how much of the world’s burden they had to shoulder. Actually the plight of Poland is only a

fraction of that burden and for that reason there is nil the more reason why Britain should move circumspectly mid having regard for her liabilities as a whole. Mr Lloyd George as the arbiter in chief has a difficult and delicate task to fulfil and it cannot be said that even his own countrymen gfve him a fair deal. Many of them and certainly a hostile section of the English press seek to make political capital out of every dond which appears on the horizon. 'lTiero is always a tremendous degree of impatience on the part of the critics for a prompt settlement of the crises. They give no thought of the tremendous issues often involved, and the need there is for Carefully weighing the whole position, and often as not, thinking of other countries’ interests, as Britain must now - do at times. Again, we remark how fortunate the Empire is to have such an asset of statesmanship as Mr Lloyd George at the head of affairs. His whole life is devoted to the affairs of the country, and his record is one which more than our nation need be proud of, for he is serving all civilisation as the world at largo was never served before. In the fullness of time these great services will he revealed in a clear light and with a better understanding. Till then the times and the occasions call for the fullest trust, and there is no fear that Britain or its Prime Minister will betray humanity while Mr Lloyd George is at the helm of State. For this reason, dark though the situation is there is hope for tlie plight- of Poland.