INTERNAL RUSSIA.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1920, Page 3

INTERNAL RUSSIA.

(Reuter’s Telegram.)

SUCCESSFUL POLISH OFFENSIVE. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 24. Generals Pilsudsi’s and Haller’s offensive continues. If the. Polish armies can loose the gap between Grodno and the German frontier, the destruction of the Reds northern army is assured. Two Red armies are already wiped out by the closing of the Mawa bottle neck. Two others, consisting of 65,000 men are now racing in an easterly direction, closely pursued over marshy ground, which forbids a hasty retreat. It is estimated one hundred thousand Red prisoners have already been taken. A scheme is afoot to use them in building new railways in Poland. Ten thousand Reds are also interned in East Prussia. Another splendid achievement of the offensive is the freeing of two railways between Warsaw and Danzig, enabling the Allies to supply Poland with munitions, with which to complete the victory.

A CORRESPONDENT’S REPORT. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 24. The “Morning Post” correspondent was an eyewitness of Pilsudski’s recapture of the city of Warsaw early in the morning of the 20th, after the third Division’s astonishing bombardment. He says the Poles fired ten shots to one of the Bolsheviks though the Reds were using the longer range guws. When the retreat commenced the Reds in great numbers forsook the ranks . and •plunged into the general wildernoss which is characteristic of the district, in search of food. When the young Poles entered breathless and perspiring, they expected a big fight for the railway station, but the enemy had fled. The Poles inquired was Warsaw safe, and when, told yes, the news was greeted with frenzied cheers. Practically all the Ppjish civilians had evacuated the city. Only Jews were left and they were op friendly terms with the Bolsheviks. At least five thousand Jews accompanied the retreating Reds to Russia. The correspondent says that coincident with the Polish success, a strong movement is developing not to press the advantage too far. Moderate Polish leaders urge the troops should entrench on Lloyd George’s line and agree to the loss of Vilna, rather than risk war with Lithuania. Bolsheviks are evacuating Baku.

POLISH ASSURANCE. '(Received this day at 11.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 24. Polish official circles here state Poland will speedily assure United States that Poland’s victorious armies will not pursue the advance beyond the Polish ethnographic boundaries. ► RED ARMY LOSSES. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 22. Advices received at Paris from Warsaw state eight Bolshevik divisions Svere annihilated and eight cut in halves. The Poles have captured forty thousand prisoners and two hundred mins- „ LONDON, August 23. Despatches from Warsaw report the Bolshevjks are retreating along the entire battle frpnt. Vienna reports the Russian northern army is negotiating to surrender.

RUSSIA’S DILEMMA. (Received this day at 9.30 a.m.) DANZIG, August 23. Bolshevik discipline, hitherto of the best, is reported tp have gone to pieces. Troops are retiring v by any means of transport regardless of their officers. Refugees are entering Germany to the number of five hundred daily. There is evidence that the Russian railway service is almost at a standstill. The Reds apparently marched all the way to the outskirts of Warsaw. The leaders admitted to civilians that they must have peace beca!use the rolling stock was giving out. Soldiers’ dress and footwear is in a bad state.

A MANIFESTO. (Received this day, at 9.30 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, August 23. The International League of Trade Unions at Rotterdam has issued a manifesto signed by Appleton, (President), Joupaux, (Vice-President), and secretaires, addressed to the workers of all countries, declaring the Russian revolution is attacked and threatened. All counter revolutionary attempts must cease. No trains or steamers Carrying munitions must move, no soldiers be transported land food supplies must be with-held', and no munitions manufactured. The League requests members to take the necesasry s eps tor powerful action, even a general strike, adding that twenty-seven million members of the League alone have the power tp save the world from aiffepltltjon of wars cruelties, Let war agains war be the cry uniting workers of all countries.