Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-08-12
Envoy Publicly Petitions
For Arms, Food, Cloth
ing and Credit
WORLD GETS NOTE
Notice to Japan to Get Out of ST.
IBERIA is Seen by Diplomat-PGlish
Move Swift

Washington, Aug. 12.-The Polish
Government will petition the United
States for arms, ammunition, food
and clothing with which to render
more effective their resistance to the
Rebel Army Of Russia and at the same
time Will appeal for the establish
ment of credit with which to pay
for the munitions Eow sorely needed.
This became known today after the
State Department had given world
wide circulation to its note addressed
by Secretary Colby yesterday to the
Italian Ambassador dealing with the
Polish and Russian problems and Of
fering to support Polish independence
and her territorial integrity with "al
available means
| Without loss Of time. the Polish
minister today, in a public statement
taking advantage of this blanket offer
asked this Government to provide sup
plies not only for the armies of Po-
land. but for the 100000 more refug-
ees who have fled before the advanc
ing Red forces.
Notwithstanding the diplomats APP
peal for the material aid, the State
Department declined to indicate what
the Government means by the phrase
"all available means" 1t was declared
unofficially, however, that this does
not contemplate the employment of
the army or the navy in any operation
against the Bolshevist invaders of Po-
land.
| AIN that could be gained from Off
cial sources on this point was that the
| Government will rempose its order
against trading with Bolshevik Russia
but. inasmuch as this would have lit
tie effect upon the Russian Govern
ment such a move would not greatly
improve the condition of the Poles and
would contribute little, if anything, it
is said, to the maintenance Of Polish
independence.
1t is generally assumed here today
that the Government has in mind some
thing more concrete in the direction of
Polish relief than trade embargo
against Russia, but what measures
are in mind have not been outlined by
State Department officials.
Meantime the Administration is
making the most Of its declarations
upon the subject of Russia and Boil
shevism The note Of yesterday has
been ordered dispatched TO every Gov
crnmcnt with which the United States
maintains diplomatic relations. It also
was delivered to all European press
services. Officials today intimatcd that
the President regards the purely Rus
sian phases Of the note as of greater
Importance than that applying imme-
diately to the plight of Poland.
That the Poles would seize upon
that phrase in the Colby note stating
that all available means would be re-
sorted to by this Government in sup
port of Polish independence and terri
torial integrity was taken for granted
last night, but Government officials
were scarcely prepared for so swift a
move as that made by Count Lubom-
irski today. Only the acutencsS Of the
crises through which Poland is pass
ing. it was assumed. prompted the
Minister to act without taking time
to consult his Government or even to
communicate the note to Warsaw.
I Supplementing his formal statement
the Count, speaking informally to cor
respondents. said that the American
Government still had available enor-
NOUS stores of arms. ammunition, uni
forms and other munitions of war, all
OF which would be useful to the Pol
ish armies. Already. he said, the Poles
had asked the privilege of purchasing
100000 army uniforms and 100000
pairs of shoes from the War Depart.
ment.
Referring to the terms Of the arm.
. istic reported from London. the Min
! lister said they seemed to be unaccept
able, particularly the provision tha
| Poland disarm herself. Such a conces
T sion as that would give the Reds {
free hand in Poland and render th'
people of that country helpless.