POLISH CAPITAL’S FALL

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20922, 29 September 1939, Page 4

POLISH CAPITAL’S FALL

Warsaw’s capitulation in the face of overwhelming odds apparently ends the effective resistance of the Poles to the invading German and Russian armies and will allow of the final partitioning of the country between the victors. So vigorous and long-sustained was the defence of the capital by the valiant remnants of the Polish armies that the swift collapse of the defence elsewhere seemed all the more remarkable. But for the Russian intervention, however, there might have been a different story to tell. Poland expected its armies would have to retreat at once from territory that favoured the operations of the powerful German mechanised forces, but it expected to be able to hold its own in the vast marshy areas to the east. Invasion by the Russian armies, however, came like a stab in the back to the retreating Poles and dealt the death-blow to any hope of effective resistance. Neither Germany nor Russia can have much cause for pride in the victory which they regard as complete with the fall of the Polish capital. Warsaw’s end was tragic and followed many appeals for direct assistance which could not be sent by Poland’s Allies, for obvious geographical reasons. Poland’s deliverance may be delayed, and it must come from another direction. The world wonders what will happen to the Polish people in the meantime.

Were the affair confined to Poland, Germany and Russia, it is questionable whether Gc-nr.t-ny v culd be willing to allow the Soviet to absorb half uj Polund, ti any iwt of it. Russia is apparently proceeding immediately to “Sovietise” the conquered territory on lines directly opposed to the Nazi ideals, but Germany as a partner in the outrage cannot afford to offend her new ally. So Poland is destined to become in the meantime divided between the Nazi and the Soviet ideologies. Assuming that the Poles will not readily give their allegiance to their new masters, the problem at the end of the war will be to give effect to the Allies’ pledge and return independence to the Poles. The procedure with regard to Germany is obvious; Russia’s real intentions have yet to be disclosed.