Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-06


been ordered to the Baltic sea and
that instructions have been issued
, TO reimpose the blockade against
Russia.
PARIS. August 6.-Russian bOlshevik
forces which have been attacking the
Poles northeast of Warsaw for the pur-
pose of cutting communications between
that city and Danzig seem to have been
checked. for the time being, by the
desperate defense of the Polish armies.
Dispatches received here appear to indi-
cate an improvement in the military sit
uation in that sector of the front.
Observers are inclined, however. to
look on the fighting near Brest-Litovsk.
east of Warsaw, with some concern, as
the bolsheviki have massed large forces
In an effort to break through there 1t
is felt that the outcome of the battle
now being waged in that region may
decide the fate of Poland
IT is possible the apparent slowing
down of the soviet attack in the north
may be due, however, to difficulties en-
fountered in bringing food. munitions
and reinfOrcementS to the front over
country roads that are believed to have
been thoroughly wrecked by the Poles.
If this is the case, the Poles may be
given only a brief breathing spell be-
fore being called upon to meet the i'm
pact of another tremendous drive to-
ward their capital.
Rumanians Concentrate.
While their comrades we're launch
ing counter offensive in the north,
the Poles fighting on the southern
sectors of the line have struck back
at the bolsheyiki and have driven
them from territory that they had
won in Galicia- In this region. how
ever, there is reason to believe the
soviet armies are not as strong nor
been farther ~north, where's the Polish
line has been crumpled up by the
attacks launched against it y
Rumania has begun the concentra-
er this move is for the purpose of
relieving the pressure against Poland,
or to force the withdrawal OF soviet
troops now on Rumanian soil, has
mot as yet developed. A Geneva dis
patch indicates considerable bolshe-
vik unrest in Rumania-
J Conversations between. the French
and Britisafs goyernntents relative to
steps to be taken TO. induce the boil
sheviki to halt their attack. or. to
help Poland. wentS on ali day yes
terday, suit no of6cial announcement
on the subject has as yet been made.
Situation Moxt Critical.
actual military situation in Poland is
not much clearer than it was yester-
day. it is admitted to be critical. Re-
ports, however, are in some respects
so contradictory that the precise de-
gree of menace to Warsaw as a re-
suit of the recent bolshevik advance
cannot be estimated.
Reports yesterday stated the soviet
Aarmies had reached points thirty
{miles distant from the Polish capital,
.'but later advices indicate they are
twice that distance away, and that
the soviet cavalry is far ahead of
the infantry. A Warsaw dispatch to
the Daily Mail states the Polish coun-
ter-offensive On the southern front
has been successful and that the boil
sheviki have been hurled back forty
five miles.
iety over the situation this morning
and the statement by high official yes
terday that the present position is as
grave as that in August, 1914, is given
great prominence Reports that the
British government has already ordered
the feet to resume the. blockade Of Rus
sia- which was partially raised last
November, receive great emphasis in
some journals. but no official sanction is
claimed for the statement and such
inquiries as were possible early this
morning tended to discount the rumor
1t is asserted that, Notwithstanding the
fact that the cabinet has not yet con-
sidered the reply of the soviet govern
ment relative to an armistice win Po-
land, it has been determined to send the
kameneff-krassin trade delegation
back to Russia
The text of the soviet reply is known
to have reached London but as yet it
has not been made public by the foreign
office. All of this mornings news
papers, however print versions of il
n 1iRI fn5n frr tha
show the reply was worded moderately
and maintained the right of the soviet
armies 10 continue military operations
against Poland.
Ask jews Protected.
Willingness to sign an armistice
agreement when Polish delegates ar
rive at MinSk is said to have been
expressed. and the soviet government.
it is asserted. has declared it's readi-
ness to grant Poland complete irde-
pendence- Moscow, however. has in
sisted upon arranging the terms of
peace by direct negotiations between
Poland and Russia, and participa =
representing the Russian border
states has been refused. The efeply
is also said to contain a statement that
the terms Russia will present 10 Po-
land are already in the hands OF
NJ. Kameneff and NJ. Krassin, heads
'of the bolsEevik trade commission
row in London
These terms. according to some re-
ports, include the condition that COM
plete protection shall be secured for
all Jews, and that free passage across
Poland shall be allowed for goods
exchanged between Germany and
Russia Moderate newspaper opinion
reflects the impression that the tone
OF the reply is reasonable and cannot
be objectionable. In official quarters il
is said 'the situation will be fayorably
effected by the communication.
Suspicious of Germany.
Suspicion that Germany is acting
in collusion with the bolsheviki per
sists, and il is not lessened by re-
ports of the address made by l. Wal
ter Simons. German foreign minister
before the reichstag yesterday, dur
ing which, he declared Germany
would Seek to prevent the entente
sending troops to Poland across Ger.
many.
Among the suggestions advanced
for evading Germany's opposition tc
the dispatch of allied troops to Po-
land is one that the men might be
sent by aircraft. Such a step it is
claimed, would be justifiable unde,
the treaty of Versailles.
PARIS. August 6.-Reports emanatine
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