THE BOLSHEVIK TANGLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1920, Page 7

THE BOLSHEVIK TANGLE.

THE PERIL OF POLAND, ATTITUDE OF THE SOVIET. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrlsht. London, July 22. Regarding the Polish situation, Mr. Lloyd George's comments are the outstanding topic of the day. The Daily Telegraph 6ays that. the Poles must be saved. Marshal Foch has consistently declined to encourage a Polish offensive on the ground that Napoleon's example was a warning to a lesser genius not to emulate the invasion of Russia, but he will go to Poland, if order to organise the Polish rear defences, which have been neglected, like those of Italy in 1017. This will show the Bolsheviks that the Western Powers cannot be flouted with impunity. The Chronicle says: "If the Soviets' reply be for war we and our Allies will have no option but to take up the challenge." The Daily Express remarks that war with Russia would tax to the limit the resources which the Allies mobilised in 1914 and 1918. The Daily News strongly objects to the League of Nations intervening in Poland now. There is nothing to discredit the league more than declining to lift a finger to restrain one of its members from a piece of lawless buccaneering and then intervening at the moment when the folly of that member has begun to recoil on his own head. The Allies must clear up the matter.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CONTACT WITRPRUSSIA.

London, July 21. The Warsaw correspondent of the Morning Post says that the news that the Soviet Government has rejected the armistice proposals comes .asi a relief after a period of restless uncertainty, fighting is now actually occurring at Grodno and Kovel, while Bolshevik cavalry are reported to be at Bailystok, the evacuation of which is progressing. The most significant news to-day is the crossing by the Bolsheviks of the of Congress Polfind and invading territory which is admittedly purely Polish in population. The Bolsheviks have now formed a contact with East Prussia and a penetration has been effected over the Niemen River. There is little likelihood that the Bolsheviks will receive cooperation or sympathy from East Prussia, which is reactionary, but the fact that communication has been established between Soviet Russia and Germany is regarded as an event of first consequence. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SITUATION IMPROVED. . j Warsaw, July 21. Despite repeated attacks, Budeny s troops on the Galician frontier seem sufficiently protected. The Poles also securely held the approaches to BrestLitovsk. Obstinate battles are being (ought in upper Niemen and the eastern approaches to Baranovitch, while the Poles firmly held the central region of the Pripet. Last week's fighting shows that the Bolshevik push has spent itself. Everything points to the situation becoming stationary.—P.euter. Berlin, July 22. : ' The Bolsheviks are advancing on Warsaw in three columns. Russian cavalry outflanked the Polish army in the region of Grodno. The Russians are evacuating Lithuania as the Reds advance into Poland. . . Paris, July 22. The' Matin's military correspondent declares that, owing to the weakness of the Polish left wing, further resistance is impossible. The Allies have not a moment to lose if they intend to rescue Poland. , Another correspondent reports that civilians are beginning to evacuate the nity and foreign missions, . including various relief organisations, are preparing to leave.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. • EAST PRUSSIA ARMING. . Paris, July 22. The Berlin correspondent of the New York Herald states that the German Government has completed plans for arming the East Prussians against the Bolsheviks. Besides concentrating all available troops, rifles will be distributed among civilians.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STRONG NATIONAL SPIRIT, Copenhagen, July 21. Kovno telegrams states that three Bolshevik armies are being thrown into Lithuania, all marching on different routes to Warsaw. It is reported that a strong national spirit prevails. The Bolshevik gencfaH declared: "We are not Bolsheviks, but Russians fighting the Russian nation's enemies."..Aus,-N.Z. Cable Assn. NO ARMISTICE YET. London. July 22. The Warsaw correspondent, of the Daily Express states that there are no signs that the Poles are ready to consider an armistice. Many volunteer regiments have been formed in answer to Pilsudski's call, to arms, including a battalion of peasants 'armed with scythes. Countless refugees from the battle region are flooding Poland. The Bolsheviks are fiercely striving to capture Grnvno and force the Niemen Rivar.— lAim.-N.Z, Cable Asan,