ENTENTE SPLIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 August 1920, Page 5

ENTENTE SPLIT.

FRANCE ACTS ALONE. ; <sym&% for south bussia. ■tfßg CRISIS CREATED. 9$ nbmtyb=~FMit Asm.—CosyrtthL Received August 12, 6.5 p jn. London, August 11. France's decision to recognise General Wrangel and the South Russian Government is regarded in most quarters as an e*tfre|Mly grave step. It means the tpttttingf of the Entente. It is reported tHat Mr. Lloyd George Wft** ito jbe sjampeded into war by France, the latter having decided to give General'Wrangel every material support without waiting the result of the Russo-Polish negotiations. Radical and Labor circles interpret the cta&sictt as a deliberate breach of the PJthe agreement with full appreciation of • the. consequences. la. fact,'some quarters are more or leas. euMieibna of France's Russian attitude. It is believed the decision was deliberate, and was made as a retort to Mr. Lloyd George's speech in the House of Comntons last night. A French communique announcing the decision stated that the Government wm impressed by General Wrangel's military saecesses and increasing strength; also the favorable reports from South {Russia respecting the democratic character of his administration; and finally, by assurances regarding Russia's external obligations. The last phrase is interpreted to mean that General Wrangel has undertaken to do hie iMpoet to dischuge Russia's debt, in which Fiance is so largely interested. VIEWS OF LABOR.

ifiadfcal and Labor circles declare that France ha* eheeen the opening of the Russo-Polish negotiations at Minsk for a* attempt to put a spoke into the wheels of peace, and France is determined to use General Wrangel in an effort to achieve what the Poles failed to do, France's main concern being the repayment of French, holders of Russian toads.

Radical and Labor circles also call attention, to President Wilson's pronouncement on Russian policy, which also coincides with the attempt to conclude a Russo-Polish peace. .The newgpaper.Star, voicing this view, emphasises a phrase Jni the French Government's communique, namely: "The French commercial attache in London has been instructed not to efeter into relations with Kameneff and Rrasein-" It also emphasises that the French Foreign Offise is of opinion that General Wrangel is the most competed anti-Bolshevik leader who has yet appeared in Russia, and he Is inducing the Cossacks to fight the Bolsheviks. As President Wilson announces toit is impossible to recognise the ki present rulers of Russia and the prinrciples of Bolshevism, which are utterly repugnant to international moral sense. Radical and Labor circles see in the . Freggh deeiaion a new orientation of ' the French policy towards America, and hold that the Entente is now split into, two camps—Fiance and America against Britain and Italy. The question is Bijttd: How much did Mr. Lloyd George know of the French decision when he spoke in the House of Commons last night? " __ "A BEMBERATE ACT."

The (French communique states that Franc© notified Mr! Lloyd George' yesterday, but it is pointed out that Mr. Lloyd George repeatedly emphasised that he was reporting; the decisions of the Sythe conference. Attention is draw*to a phrase in his speech, namely: If >We had *eally wished to support Geserat Wwnml we could have done so much more effectively. . We have not done so, bee*ute we are anxious to geeure pease* - 'Seeing that Mr. Lloyd George Emphasised that the question of supporting Cllineral Wrangel would only arise if the Bolsheviks attempted to destroy Polish freedom, the Star takes the view that France deliberately predpitatedthe crisis in order to remedy her failure' at BJjrthe. The Star suggests that the Trench decision accounts for the suppoeed hitch in the-JRusso-Polish negotiaiionß. .The latent advices from the Polish Government state ft hag not received a reply to itg, Note announcing its willingMis to meet the Bolsheviks at Minsk. This may mesa that Russia has resolved to clear the way for dealing with General Wrangel, and wishes to capture Warsaw Wore diverting troops south.— !4u8.-Jff.Z. Cable Assn.

IS IT CORRECT? ■ '■ DOUBTED IN BRITIBH CIRCLES. Received August 12.8.30 p.m. London, August 12. 'feolitical circles regard the report of jFrsnte's sudden change of attitude as incredible. The most reliable correspondents emphasise thai M. Millerand was absent from Paris, and point out that the Statement published in Paris papers was apparently istned by somebody in the itvjtelT Foreign Office. It is- understood it refers to the (French Government's decision of three Weeks ago, since when the circumstances have entirely changed. The actual F|«nch foliay was outlined at the Hythe Conference.—Aus.-N.Z: Cable Asns.

. THOUGHT TO BB WRONG. WL. LKHiQ GEORGE'S BELIEF. Becttrea August 12, 8.30 p.m. Utew York, August 12. The Uondon correspondent of the New tS«rl: TiMee reports that Mr. Lloyd Oeofge, in the Bouse of Commons, said he believed the report that the French liad recognised General Wrangel was a ' aietake.—Aus. ana NZ Cable Alts. L • BRTTip PARLIAMENT. ■ ) AIMOUHNiiBNT CANCELLED. H jßJeceivedi August.l2, 7.15 p.m. London, August 11. Owing to the European situation ParwtQ net adjourn for the recess as intended.—Aue..N.Z. Cable 'Angnst 12, 9.15 pjn. London, August 12. Mr. Lloyd George will make a statein the House of Commons on Mon■aay. It It effected the situation Till Ybe <rnlc% ejtfrod «P. enabling the ■ iToase of Commons to aajourn for the re« W Cable 4»» '

NEW PERIL REVEALED. THE BOLSHEVIKS 1 WIDE AIMS. THREAT TO MIDDLE EAST, r Received August 12,7.46 p.tri. London, Angus!; 11. Etcent reports from South Russia state that some of the Beft Bolshevik divisions have been hurriedly withdrawn from the Polish front, and have been sent southward ,over the dilapidated railways. The entire country between the Dnieper and the Don around Azoff, and thence to the Caucasus, is seething with discontent at the Bolshevik regime. Several large risings occurred, in the Don province of Kuban, where the Bolsheviks were never really in control, because they were forced to withdraw troops to resist the Polish advance. Approaching the close of the harvest season South Russia is a great danger for the Bolsheviks, who fear large additions to General Wrangel's forces. General Wrangel has reached Mariobol, on the Azoff-Alexandrovsk front, on the Dnieper, and hopes soon to reach the country of the Don CossacKs. The Daily Telegraph states that the Bolshevik power in Persia is waning, and the Bolsheviks are also threatened | by the Tartars in Azergaijan. WRANGEL'S POLICY.

General Wrangel's Government, announcing its sympathy with democratic rule.in Russia, stated that its policy is, | firstly, a free right for the Bussian people to choose their own stable government: secondly, the inviolability of all Russian citizens regardless of origin and religion; thirdly, the distribution of lands to the actual cultivators; fourthly, [the protection of workers and professional organisations; fifthly, & union of all parties; sixthly, the-restoration of Russian industries; seventhly, the recognition of all international obligations and the' payment of Russian debts. The French Minister for Fore'gn Affairs, commenting on the Bolshevik terms respecting Poland, considers they aTe only the first step of the Bolsheviks' real intentions, whifh will soon be disclosed, leaving far harder conditions of peace.

As regards President Wilson's attitude towards Russia, the Daily Telegraph states there has been do divergence with Britain, as the British proposal to meet the Soviet delegates in London was not meant as a recognition of the Bolshevik Government. It w n i intended that recognition should only follow if the the Bolsheviks proved their good faith and their intention 'to a conformation of the usages of civilised Governments, notably the discharge of tnelr debts to France.

BASIS OF RECOGNITION. I As regards General Wrangel, it has j been known for some time that France was willing to recognise him if he acknowledged Russia's debts. This assurance has been given, and the French recognition is, therefore, practically automatic. At the same time the choice of yesterday, immediately after President Wilson's refusal to recognise the Soviet, was dramatic, and perhaps suggestive. Organised Labor's "Council of Action" has written to Mr. Lloyd George acknowledging his declaration that the Government would not proceed to support General Wrangel in the present circumstances, but adds that the Labor movement is convinced, regarding the imperative necessity for peace with Russia, that peace should be made forthwith, and proper relationships established. The Council has invited the Premier to announce the conditions which, in the opinion of the Government, are necessary for peace to enable the national conference on August 15th to consider same:

The Daily Chronicle's Paris correspondent states the French General Confederation of Labor passed a resolution denouncing war with Russia, and summoning the workers to refuse to handle material destined for use against Russia. Correspondents with General Wrangel are optimistic in their dispatches regarding General Wrangel's successes and prospects. A Constantinople message announces that General 'Wrangel has effected a junction with the Don Cos-sacks.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asns.

THE MYSTERY DEEPENS. PREMIER HAS NO NEWS. ASSUMES REPORT INCORRECT. Received August 12, 10.40 p.m. London, August 11. Mr. Lloyd George has heightened the mystery as regards Reuter's news from Paris that France had recognised General Wrangel's Government, and that the French Foreign Office notified Mr. Lloyd George of the decision yesterday. When he told the House of Commons this afternoon his omy information was Reuter's telegram, and he could scarcely credit it. He had no confirmation from any other source, but Reuter's enquiries in Paris elicited a reply that tie news as given was official.

A prominent official to-night emphasised the fact that the British attitude remains aB outlined by Mr. Lloyd George last evening. He possessed no information in regard to the matter, while the Foreign Office was equally in the dark, as was also the French Embassy.

The Premier said he eould hardly believe the statement was accurate, because he fully discusesd the whole situation with M. MUlerand on Monday, when 'there was no proposal made to recognise General Wrangel. He assumed that the report was inaccurate, because he felt certain M. Millerand would have communicated his intention. It was well-known that France's attitude towards General Wrangel was at Variance with Britain's. The former considered they were free to sustain General Wrangel, but Britain did not propose to do so except in a «ontingency as explained last evening. The Premier concluded that an unfortunate mistake had occurred in a report from a very reliable agency, and that the French Government had not authorised it.— Reuter Service.