RUSSIAN MIX-UP.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1920, Page 2

RUSSIAN MIX-UP.

Uly Electric Telegraph—Go lyrlglitj

BATTLE FOR WARSAW. LONDON, August 15. A groat battle is reported to have started at the gates of Warsaw. The “Daily Chronicle” correspondent at Warsaw reports that when the Polish Army’s retrbat upon its defensive positions became known, the result was a great exodus from Warsaw. Hotels, cafes, and business centres were strangely deserted. Only some few diplomatic representatives remained. The Italian Minister and the Papal Nuncio and the others have gone to Posen. Thither the Polish Government intends also to go if it becomes necessary to evacuate within the city the prepared positions where the Poles await the Bolshevik attack. This may be either frontally against the bridge or by an , outflanking move across, the river Vistula.

The Polish njilitary circles believe that a Red frontal attack can be shattered. In this event the Poleß will advance. It also is believed by the Poles that an advance will be their best reply to an outflanking movement. The Posen Polish regiments are mainly responsible for tlie construction of the Polish defences. " They formerly were in the German Army. They have done their work extremely efficiently Much now depends upon the leader-* ship. Hitherto the Polish troops have suffered through a lack of co-operation between their officers and certain French officers who .are attached to various commands. The principal centres of military activity aro now the bridge heads, where there is much movement of finely

mounted cavalry. The most notable Polish figure is a bare-headed wojnan, Owing to the censorship and the cessation of Parliamentary proceedings in Poland, it is difficult to learp what is transpiring politically, but there is little doubt that Romea-" Donowiski aims at overthrowing the Polish Government. He delivered a speech at Posen on Thursday demanding many reforms. Donowski already has established a so-palled Government in Posen. Much depends upon the attitude of the army, which at present is devoted to General Jj'Ludski. ' It is thought the Posen regiments, which are tbp power of tbte -Army, might yet side with Donowski, and then the fall of Warsaw might weaken the allegiance of some other troops. It is hinted that Donowski is back, ed by one Entente power, which sees in him the best chance of continuing war against Russia. His chance will certainly come if Russia dictates ex- sy. cessive peace terms. Yet his would in- v volve Poland in civil war for Donowski is a reactionary and believes in a Big Poland- He had long led the Polish Party in the Russian Duma, but he has favoured Poland remaining a part of Russia. He is a bitter opponent of General Pilsudski.

' THE SOVIET TERMS. PARIS, August 15. It is believed the Soviet is not dispos- 1 ed to offer Poland an .Y guarantees at Minsk for the maintenance of the Dantzig* corridor to the se f a. BERLIN, August Li. The “Lokal Anzeigcr’s Soldau correspondent reports a Bolshevist Division " are now attacking the Polish Dantsig / corridor which the Allies guaranteed to Poland. i It is expected the Iteds will storm the towns of Thorn, Graudenz, and Posen, and will then reach to Dantzig from the north.

A Bolshevist Army Division entered Soldau on the 13th of August. Thereupon the Russian commander declared: “This captured territory will belong tq Poland-” * Furthermore, only the 1014 pre-W« frontiers were recognised by the Russians. >

' Forthwith the Russians appointed a Special Committee to govern the town of Soldau. They excluded all Poles from it.

The ‘Lokal Anzeiger” declares openly that the Germans in Soldau are jubilant at the outcome It adds that flags are again waving there.

FIGHT FOR SOLDAU. LONDON, August 15. The “Daily News” Berlin correspondent states: “Several hours of fiprep fighting preceded the Russians’ capture of Soldau, in the Polish Baltic, corridor Masses of Red cavalry have pour, ed in, and have since gone southward,

apparently in order to participate in the big attack on Warsaw. The battle for Soldau was fought close to the GerI man frontier It was watched by thousands of Germans. Heavy Russian guns bombarded the town all day long,-' - and the Red infantry advanced at dusk.Desperate fighting took jfiace in thp woods outside the towp, The German burgo-master at Soldau welcomed the Russian troops. Jlp ex-'' pressed “the Germans’ delight at ypur liberation of us from the Polish terror.”

The “Daily News” Berlin correspondent states: The Russian commander at Soldau, said: “I solemnly pledge myself that we will not leave this 1 old German territory until we have restored it to Germany.” Tlien the Russian military bands played German marches. The Russians next issued a proclamation stating it is their intention to occupy the whole Polish corridor, 'they would not establish Soviets. They would entrust the civil administration to the former German authorities. The Germans then decorated the town with their German flags and with flowers in honour of the Russians. .The Reds are fraternising with the inhabitant?.

The Russian commander issued sierij orders against any military offender, including death for violence' or robbery. The German prets is applauding these proofs of Soviet friendliness and is warmly praising the strict Russian discipline,

MEETINGS OF PROTEST. (Received this dav at 9.30 a.mV) NEW YORK, August 10. Speaking at Quesnoy, M. Millerand said though it was hard to recognise certain divergencies of opinion between France and Britain, they could bo certain the two nationß would maroh hand in haxid towards the same goal of liber ty and justice.