RUSSIA AND POLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1922, Page 5

RUSSIA AND POLAND.

TROOPS ON FRONTIER. WAR STATEMENT EXPECTED. By Telegraph.—Press Assai.—Copyright. Berlin, April 23. It is reported that a large number of Communist soldiers have arrived in Smolensk and Minsk for the Red army. Trotsky is expected to make an early visit to the Russo-Polish frontier, where , it is believed, something like a state of war exists. Several troop trains ana munition transports have arrived. MajtfS ——- Polish subjects have been arrested oft charges of espionage. It is universally feared that war between Russia and Poland may prove inevitable. Lenin is expected to make a war statement to the All Russian executive committee on May 5. It is understood he intends to yield to the European demand on the question of private property. The military party, under Trotsky’s leadership, is dissatisfied with this decision. Trotsky is summoning his supporters from the provinces to discuss the situation. SOVIET’S PEACE ARMY. STILL TO BE MAINTAINED. Riga, April 30. The Soviet has issued a decree fixing the peace army at millions, and the war strength*at five millions, with two million women volunteers. EFFECT OF GERMAN AGREEMENT. Warsaw, April 30. A report is current that the GermanBolshevik military agreement signed in Berlin on March 4 provides for the delivery by Germany to Russia of munitions, equipment, poison gas, instructors, aeroplanes and wireless plants. The Soviet agrees to give Germany 20 warships and to maintain troops opposite the Polish frontier. Poland is apprehensive that if Russia fails in its demands at Genoa it will attack Poland as an indirect hit at France, consequently, as a precautionary measure, Poland itf calling up the 1901 class and retaining in the ranks some of the 1899 class, which is due for demobilisation.