The Daily News. FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1920, THE POLISH OFFENSIVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1920, THE POLISH OFFENSIVE.

It is quite possible that owing to the excitement caused by the visit of the Prince of Wales to the Dominion, the importance of the events transpiring in Eastern Europe has not been full y realised. No doubt the capture of Ivieff by the Poles has been duly noted, and tlie defeat of the Bolsheviks appreciated, but the advance of the Poles has a much greater significance than that o£ mere military successes, though these are by no means to be despised. It means that the breathing time which lias been granted to Poland has been utilised to good purpose, and that under the tutelage of French officers, led 'by Marshal Foch, the Polish army of twenty-four divisions is becoming a solid factor in the affairs of Europe. Germany hoped that the Red armies of the Russian Bolsheviks would attack Poland and destroy her army before it was ready to resist, and the result of the Polish offensive shows that Poland—restored Polandhas gained her feet and given proof of her rising power. Moreover, Poland has recognised Ukrainian independence and entered into an agreement with the Ukraine to fight Bolshevism till it is defeated. The Bolsheviks have for a long time past been war-weary, and it may be that Poland's new activity will be the turning point of Russia's misfortunes. So far, the Bolsheviks have played into Germany'.-* hands, but. the tide has turnedGermany is being hemmed in. Marshal Foch's strategy was not eonfined to building up an effective Polish army; it embraced ths reorganisation of the Roumanian army by French officers. There is every reason why Poland, the Ukraine, and Roumania should act in political concert with each other and with the Allies, so that with an effective Allied army on the Rhine, an effective Polish army on the Vistula, and effect-vc Roumanian forces dominating Austria andHungary, a cordon would be formed that would not only defy Prussianism and Bolshevism, but would bring Germany to her bearinps The only disturbing element in this scheme is that which may arise in relation to differences between Jugo-Slavia and Roumania, and it is for the Allies to see that Roumania is not politically estranged by erring diplomacy in settling the boundaries of Jngo-Slavia. The Balkan nations have been extremely difficult to handle in the itast. and the present problem is by no means easy to solve. So much, however, depends on the friendly co-operation of Roumania and Poland with the Allies that superlative efforts should be made to reconcile the conflicting elements. ' Permanent peace- practically stands or falls according to whether the efforts, of the Alhes succeed or fail in dealing with this problem, It will he noted that

[ Mr. Bonar Law, when recently replying to a suggestion made in the House of Commons by Captain Wedgwood Benn, to the effect that the question of the Polish advance should be referred to the- League of Nations, emphasised that the British Government was unnble to advise countries adjoining Russia in regard to their course toward the Soviet Government, or to accept any responsibility for their actions, and he reminded the House that this was no new war. there having been no cessation cf hostilities between the Poles am the Bolsheviks. Reading between the lines of this diplomatic statement, there can be discerned an approval of Poland's action and the way it fits into the end the Allies have in view. Those who have extended political vision and breadth of view can appraise the far-reaching • importance of Poland's move. To such it may api pear that the Poles may prove the chief factor in Bussia's regeneration, and it is certain that if the Polish-Ukranian agreement to fight, Bolshevism till it is defeated, accomplishes its object, the last obstacle to the peace of Europe will be removed. Germany's dream of an Eastern Empire dissipated for ever, and a wall of steel erect- ! Ed to confine the Teuton militarists | to their own territory. Poland has everything to hope for from the Allies—nothing from Germany. No wonder the French military authorities recognised the policy of making the Polish and Roumanian armies as efficient, as possible, for with these forces in her rear Germany would not dare to subject France to another invasion. The Polish advance comes as a welcome glow of sjmshine on the darkness of European troubles.