Russia’s Attitude Toward Poland

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 60, 14 March 1944, Page 5

Russia’s Attitude Toward Poland

Will Stop Only At Curzon Line

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) Received Monday, 9.55 p.m. LONDON, March 12. The Soviet reply to the Poles, refusing to agree to a final settlement of tne Russian-Folish frontier oeing postponed until after the war, meanwhile leaving Lwow and Vilna under Polish administration, virtually amounts to an ultimatum of unconditional surrender., says The Economist jojuraal. It asks: “if the Russians can agree to leave their claims to Petsamo until the final peace negotiations why cannot they do the same with Lwow? Similarly, if Moscow can negotiate with a Finnish Government including Marshal Mannerheim and Mr. Tanner, why must a reshuffling of the Polish Government be made a sine qua non of resuming relations between Russia and Poland?” it agrees, however, that the Russians are entitled to insist on full military and political security behind their lines in Poland. The Allies are anxious to see this frontier dispute settled amicably, for it is considered that Poland is the key to the future peace of Europe. There are many who would like to see Poland follow the line taken by Czechoslovakia which has defined its position with Russia politically and economically, but at the same time it is realised that Poland has more historical complications. While Czechoslovakia fox centuries regarded the Austrians and Germans as enemies it has never been overrun by Russia. Poland, on the other hanu, has been divided between Russia and Germany and the area nearest Russia is pro-German while tfie districts nearest Germany are proKußsian. The result is that the Poles themselves are politically divided. It is understood that the Poles never believed the Russians would take a victorious role in this war but that Germany would again defeat Russia and would in turn be defeated by Britain and the United States as in the last war. To-day there is as impasse in Russian-Polish relations. Well-informed circles believe Russia is determined so to secure her western frontier as to guard against Germany ever again attempting to invade the Ukraine. One theory is that Russia will probably instal Soviets and a Russian civil administration as she advances all the way to the Curzon Line, thus establishing it as Russian territory. Once she advances beyond the Curzon Line the Soviet will put in Polish divisions and advise them to establish Polish civil administrations. This area Russia will respect as Polish territory. r This, it is thought, is in keeping with the Russian “realistic” policy. Well-informed circles also believe that Russia does not desire any further Finnish territory, but insists on maintaining the frontiers formed in 1940.