LEAGUE OF NATIONS DEFIED.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3600, 12 October 1920, Page 5

LEAGUE OF NATIONS DEFIED.

POLES OCCUPY VILNA, LONDON, October 10. The ‘‘Times” correspondent at Kovno reports that serious apprehension has been caused by news that the Poles entered Viiua. Thus, despk.e offical assurances and despite the Buwalki conference and the intervention of the Leagrfe of Nations the Polos are making Lithuania a subject nation. The correspondent, after declaring that the Polish armies are ignoring the armistice, quo; cs the ease of a British military attache, Major Par gi ter, who motored to headquarters and was detained by the Poles until nightfall lest he betray military movements. They told him that f.hey were repeating d’Aiinunzio’g Licit, crossing the Niemen without the Government’s authority as an independent army to occupy Vilna, and despite the instruction of the League of Nations. It is understood that the British urged the Lithuanian Government to remain in Vilna at all costs, leaving the issue to the League of Nations. Most of the Government departments, however, have already fled io Kovno. The French military mission has assumed the Governorship of Vilna.

The Lithuanian army gave the Poles a final fight a few miles from Vilna, temporarily repulsing them and inflicting severe losses.

The Lithuanian troops then retired. Residents of Vilna are terror-stricken, and are fleeing westward.