BATTLE OPENS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1920, Page 5

BATTLE OPENS.

ATTACK ON WARSAW. RETREAT OF THE POLES, DEFENSIVE POSITIONS TAKEN. fiy Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, August 15. A Warsaw message states that a great battle is beginning at the gates of Warsaw.—Times Service. GREAT STRUGGLE BEGINS. FIGHTING IN CITY'S SUBURBS. POLES' DESPERATE* DEFENCE. Received August 18, 10.25 p.m. London, August 16. I here aro conflicting accounte in regard to events at Warsaw. The Daily News' Berlin correspondent says a great struggle is in progress. Reports from Russian sources' declare there was desperate hand-to-hand fightjng on Saturday in the suburbs, and heavy guns have been bombarding the city since, Friday night. The Daily Express' Warsaw correspondent, telegraphing on Saturday, savs ,ni° "J*, and deat!l druggie has "begun fhe Pohsh army stands in positions chosen by French advisers. The fI TS t prions test came on Friday Wght, when tho Bolsheviks captured Radzimin, which the Poles rcrtook on Saturday. The town lias since been the Kcene of a desperate fight between dense masses of infantry on both sides • Latest reports state that Radzimin remains in Polish hands. 'The town is ftn important part of Warsaw's defences Over sixty tanks co-operated. • _ The Russians are apparently searching for a, weak spot with their artillery which is increasingly active. The Daily Express' Warsaw correspondent 6 ays that throughout Friday night fires raged in many part? of Warsaw. Red and while beacon lights announced a series of outbreaks, which tho authorities attribute to Red agents seeking to produce panic. The Daily News' Berlin correspondent states that several hours' fierce fighting preceded the Russian capture of Roldau in the Polish Baltic "corridor." Masses of cavalry were poured in. Thev have since gone southward, apparently in order to participate in the attack on Warsaw.

The "battl* for Soldau was fought close to the German frontier, and was watched by thousands of Germans. Heavy guns bombarded the town all day long. Then the infantry advanced at dusk, and desperate lighting took place in the woods outside the town. The German burgomaster welcomed the Russian troops and expressed the Germans' delight at their liberation from Polish terror. The Daily News' Berlin correspondent states that the Russian commander said solemnly: "I pledge myself we will not leave this old German territory, until to Germany it is restored." German and Russian military, bands played German marches. The Russians issued a proclamation stating their intention to occupy the whole "corridor." They would not establish Soviets, but would entrust the civil administration to the former German authorities.

The Germans decorated the town with German flags and flowers in honor of the Russians, who are fraternising with the inhabitants. The Russian commander issued stern orders against military offenders, including death for violence and robbery. The German Preas applauds these proofs of friendliness, and warmly praises Russian discipline,— Aue.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

Received August 10, 5.3 p.m. London, August 15. The ©aily Chronicle correspondent \t Warsaw reports that when the Polish army'B retreat upon their defensive positions became known, the result was a great exodus from the hotels and cafes, and business centres were strangely deserted, only diplomatic representatives remaining. The Italian Minister and the Papal Nuncio have gone Jo Posen, whither the Government intends to go if it becomes necessary to evacuate the capital.

The army is now safely back upon the Vistula, almost everywhere within prepared positions, where it awaits the Bolshevik attack, either frontally against the bridge-heads, or by an outflanking movement across the Vistula. Polish military chicles believe a frontal attack can be shattered, in which event the Poles will advance. It is also believed that an advance will be the best reply to an outflanking movement.

The Posen regiments are mainly responsible for the construction of the defences —they were formerly German—and the troops have done their work extremely efficiently. Much depends upon the leadership. Hitherto, the Polish troops have suffered through lack of cooperation between their officers and the French officers who are attached to the various commands. The principal centres, of military activity are the bridge-heads, Where there is much movement of finelymounted cavalry. The most notable figure is a bare-headed woman.

Owing to the censorship and the cessation of Parliamentary proceedings, it is difficult to learn what is transpiring politically, but there is little doubt that Roman Dmowski aims at overthrowing the Government. He delivered a speech at Posen on Thursday demanding many reforms. Dmowski Eas already established a so-called Government in Posen. Much depends upon the attitude of the army, which is at present devoted to Pilsudski, but the Posen regiments, which are the flower of the army, might well side with Dmowski, and tile fall of Warsaw might weaken the allegiance, too, of other troops.

It is hinted that Dmowski is backed by an Entente Power, which sees in him the best chance of continuing the war against Russia. His chance will certainly come if Russia dictates excessive terms, but this would involve Poland in civil war, for Dmowski is reactionary and believes in a big Poland. He long led the Polish Party in the Russian Duma, but favored Poland remaining part of Russia. He is a bitter opponent of Pil-sudski.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE DANZIG "CORRIDOR." SUCCESS' OF RUSSIAN ADVANCE. Received August 10, 5.5 p.m. Berlin, August 15. The Lokal Anzeiger's Warsaw correJBBS&§lt „*m*t* tt»t thft.^Bslihftrik

division attacking the Danzig "corridor" is expected to storm Thorn, Oraudenz, and Posen, and reach Danzig from the north. A Bolshevik division entered Soldau on August 13, when the Russian commander declared that captured territory would not again belong to Poland. Furthermore, only 1914 frontiers were recognised. Forthwith tile Russians appointed a committee to govern the town, excluding all Poles. The Lokal Anzeiger declares that Germans in Soldau are jubilant at the German flags again waving.—Renter Service.