The Daily News. FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1920. MOMENTOUS PROBLEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1920. MOMENTOUS PROBLEMS.

The important statement made in the House of Commons by Mr. Lloyd George a few days ago contains much matter for serious reflection. He described the Polish attack on Russia as reckless and foolish, adding that Poland was legitimately afraid of Soviet Russia, and was anxious to have a buffer State. Pew will deny" this anxiety is justified. The independence of Poland is essential to the peace of Europe, for if the Bolsheviks are permitted to overrun Poland and march to the German frontier, Mr. Lloyd George considers, on good grounds, that would be a great temptation to Germany, and would afford a cheap way for the Germans to escape their obligations, and so deprive the Allies of the fruits of victory. Holding such views (which are irrefutable) the wonder is that the Allies, when Po-. land first embarked on the campaign against the Bolsheviks, did not come to an arrangement with Poland as object and scope of the movement. Instead, the Poles were allowed to proceed, merely being warned that their campaign was not sanctioned, and that they must not look to the Allies for help, though there can be little doubt that, had the operations been successful, the Allies would have been ready to acclaim their satisfaction thereat. Although the Poles commenced well, they were unable to withstand the weight of the Soviet forces. There Was always that possibility in view, but it is likely they counted on some help by the Allies, inasmuch as their object was to break the power of the Soviets, a work that is as much to the benefit of Europe generally as it is to Poland in particular. The defeat of the Poles has brought into promi•nence the serious nature of the Bolshevik menace, and the Allies are now faced with the grave problem of intervention. It is easy to be wise after the event, but it is also clejar that had the Allies .insisted on an armistice in the first instance, with the object of securing Poland !s complete independence, they would not now be faced with a far more serious problem wherein the Bolsheviks consider themselves as victors en*M to dietaA© terma, &ud .to

limit negotiations to a proletariat government, thereby selecting the form of government Poland should have. To-accept such a condition is impossible, hence the Allies have been forced by circumstances to intimate to Moscow that if, despite the Polish application for an armistififf, the Eussian armies still marcliecr on, the Allies would give Poland lu'ch assistance as they could. Although this notification is somewhat vague, it can only mean that active military measures will be taken by the Allies' to protect Poland from the Soviet hordes. It may be thought that help of this nature would/hot involve extensive operations/ especially in view of Mr. Lloyd George's statement that he believed the Bolsheviks would be greatly mistaken jf they invaded Poland, where the forces were more formidable than they imagined. To depend on such a doubtful thread would certainly be unwise. If the Allies have to help thej Poles, as appears to be inevitable, they must be prepared to encounter the full strength of the Soviet power, and there is no knowing how deeply they may become involved before the issue is ultimately determined. Theoretically the intervention would be confined to securing the Safety of Poland ; but it can readily be understood that the Bolsheviks, if foiled in one direction, may turn to 'another, and become a grave menace to India. Apparently the outlook, so far as Germany is concerned, shows a welcome improvement, though it would be fatal to be lulled into false security. There are several outstanding problems of a momentous nature awaiting solution, and whether success is achieved will largely depend on the Allies .being able to convince the refractory'nations that there is a limit to patience and .diplomacy, and that if forced to adopt strong measures they will act with firmness and determination, although the limit of their resources may be taxed.' These problems must be cleared,up by the Allies without delay. Sooner or later the clash with Soviet' Russia is bound to come, for there will be no assured peace until Soviet misrule is replaced by a stable and reliable democratic government.