FURTHER DISCUSSION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1943, Page 4

FURTHER DISCUSSION

OF SOVIET-POLISH BREAK

MEETINGS AT FOREIGN OFFICE.

MR CHURCHILL TAKING PART.

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) RUGBY, April 28.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Anthony Eden, today again received the Polish Premier, General Sikorski, with the Polish Foreign Minister. Count Raczynski. There will be a further meeting today, with Mr Churchill present, regarding the Polish-Russian situation.

When Messrs Churchill and Eden meet General Sikorski and Count M. Raczynski again today, efforts will be made to restore Allied unity, which has temporarily been broken by the suspension of diplomatic relations between Russia and Poland, says a Press Association diplomatic correspondent. Polish circles attach much importance to this second meeting and a meeting of the Polish Cabinet, provisionally arranged for this morning, was postponed until after the conversations between the British and Polish leaders. Washington is being kept informed of the progress of the London talks.

POLISH POLICY AFFIRMED IN GOVERNMENT STATEMENT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 12.15 p.m.) RUGBY, April 28. The Polish Government in London has issued a statement affirming that its policy is aimed at friendly understanding between Poland and Russia, on basis that the integrity and full sovereignty of the Polish Republic was and continued to be fully supported by the Polish nation. The Polish Government, it is added, is conscious oi its responsibility towards its own nation and toward the Allies whose unity and solidarity are the cornerstone of future victory.

The statement says the Polish Government was the first to approach the Soviet with a proposal for a common understanding, and declares that it has scrupulously discharged its obligations entered into with the Soviet in 1941. The statement points out that the Polish Government and Cabinet have no need to defend themselves from any suggestion of contact or understanding with, Hitler. In a public statement on April 17, Poland denied to Germany the right to abuse the tragedy of the Polish officers for the Germans’ own perfidious schemes. The Polish Government unhesitatingly denounces Nazi propaganda designed to create mistrust between the Allies. At about the same time, a Note was sent to the Soviet Ambassador accredited to the Polish Government asking once again for information which would help to elucidate the fate of the missing officers. The statement said the Polish Army, in waging war against Germany, would also require for reinforcements all the fighting Polish males now on Soviet soil. The Polish Government asked for a continuance of relief and welfare of Polish citizens remaining in Russia. The statement reaffirmed that Poland did not claim any Soviet territories.

POLISH PROPOSAL REGARDING RED CROSS INVESTIGATION. LIKELY TO BE WITHDRAWN. (Received This Day, 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, April 28. The Polish-Soviet breach brought intense diplomatic activity to London today. Mr Eden received General Sikorski and Count Raczynski, after which General Sikorski saw Mr Churchill, in the presence of Mr Eden and Count Raczynski. The Polish Cabinet then met and approved the statement which was issued later. The Press Association’s diplomatic correspondent says there is every likelihood that the Polish Government in London will withdraw its proposal that the International Red Cross at Geneva should send a committee to investigate the atrocity allegations which caused the rift in Russo-Polish relations. Such a withdrawal certainly would ease the situation. It is felt strongly that any Red Cross inquiry in Ger-man-occupied territory near Smolensk would simply be playing into the hands of Goebbels’s propagandists. The correspondent also says that there seems to be fairly general agreement that the word “suspension” and not “sever” was used in the Russian Note announcing a rupture in RussoPolish relations, but the “Pravda” today again refers to “the break,” while “Soviet War News” published the text of the Russian Note, stating that the Soviet had decided to “sever relations with the Polish Government.” It was stated in London last night that the Polish Ambassador was still in Moscow, but messages from Moscow today report that steps are being taken for the removal of Polish Embassy officials to Iraq. A BITTER ATTACK. The “Izvestia” publishes a threecolumn article by Wanda Vassilievska, editor of “Free Poland,” and chairman of the Union of Polish Patriots, stating that: “The Polish people did not choose, appoint oi’ give authority to General Sikorski’s emigre Government. The fight the Polish people are still putting up against the Germans is clear proof that they have nothing in common with the suicidal policy of the emigre Government. It is no secret that the leadership of the Polish forces outside Poland is strongly reactionary and anti-democratic. That is why General Anders refused .to fight on the Russian front.”

The article alleges that secret links connect some Polish elements in London and New York with Berlin, and declares that the emigre Government, from the first day of its existence, has permitted, in unofficial and official organs, the foulest attacks against Russia.