New-York tribune., 1920-08-27
|Soviets Drop
Demand for
Labor Army
Reds Declare That in
Changing Polish Terms
They Are Yielding All
to Desire for Peace
Back Down Under
Pressure of Allies
Russian Delegation in
London Says Wishes of
Britain and Italy Met

LONDON, Aug. 26 (By The Asso-
1ated Press) The Russian Soviet
government replied to-day to the
note of Arthur J. Balfour, Lord
President of the council, concerning
the Soviet peace terms to Poland.
The Soviet government agrees to
withdraw its conditions that the
Poles provide arms for a workmen's s
militia of 100000 men in Poland.
The Sovie. reply was received by
the Russian delegation here. The
Moscow government says that in
Withdrawing this condition it is
subordinating everything else to its
paramount desire to secure the es-
.ablishment of peace throughout the
world. The Russian delegation in
London claims that this concession
meets the wishes of the British and
!talldn governments.
NJ. Tchitcherin's Reply
The note of NJ. Tchitcherin, the Rus
sian Soviet Foreign Minister, to Mr..
Bafour. opens with a comment on the
unusual tone Of the Anglo-Italian
governments communication, which, it
SAYS. does not tend to help permanent
good relations and world peace.
1t calls attention to the action of
those governments, which had so often
accused the Russian government of in
terfering in the internal affairs of
other states. and charges that in this
communication they have issued peace
propaganda directed against our insti-
utions, which constitutes an act of in
reference in Russian affairs sufficient
10 justify CORES sponding action by US.
N. Tchltcherin says, however, that
Despite natural resentment, the Soviet
government has decided not to insist
upon this point, but to meet fully the
wishes Of the AngloItalian govern
ments in the interest of the establish
ment Of permanent good will.
Expressing surprise that the ques-
ton OF the Interpretation of principle
should have caused such difficulty, NJ
Tchltcherin proceeds to argue that af-
tel the limitation of Poland's army to
$4,000 was recognized by the British
government as just peace term it
was concession on the part of Rus
sla to admit the formation of civil
militia, which, he asserts, "is, in fact,
uppementary armed force" and
adds; I'VE therefore find it astonish-
ing that this should arouse the British
government's Indignation.
Britain's Stand Criticized
Seeing that Great Britain declares
peace through eastern Europe to be it's
aim, we can point to the fact that the
workers in Poland for long time
nave been the one force steadfas silly
opposed to the Polish government pol
icy and have in repeated resolutions
demanded peace with Russia. If, never
theiess, the British government so
!orclbly opposes strengthening this
fundamental pillar Of peace it clearly
shows with what distrust it regards
the workers.
If the British government, indeed.
'hinKs that the workers by nature are
animated by the doctrine of Bolshe-
yism such a point of view undoubtedly
Viii be welcomed by those who look
forward to spreading Bolshevism in
Great Britain"
!. Abiding to the proposed civic mill
ha, ne says:
.Although our Interpretation of this
point In our peace terms is thoroughly
!usuhed. we nevertheless are willing to
remove this, the only point of diver
sency, IN order to establish a full un-
outstanding between us and the above
governments.
AS TO the terms of peace with Po-
.shd. we first of all declare we never
eonSldered our terms as an ultimatum
.. .iu are still, as We have been all the
nll' piIe' Wiling to discuss them with the
lohSh government, with whom alone
we we are treating for peace. Any under
gangs we may give there anent will,
therefore, be given to Poland alone.
IN view, nevertheless, of our ear
nest desire to obtain important results
lor the worlds welfare and n peace
arising from peace with Great Britain.
we are willing to inform the British
soVernment that the Russian govern
meht Is resolved to make concession
on this point.
...lt Will not insist upon the clause
nierrlng to the armng in Poland of a
~JlKers s', civic militia, thus securing
~ s-. ,aereement with Great Britain as
" all the terms of peace with Poland" ="
Poland Eager for Peace
me Polish Legation here to- day is
l.eu pu an oihclal statement of the Polish
s.u ,t.ialer "ltos to the effect that Poland
s';at ss4t desres an armistce and peace
n. ".sn Russia and does not desire to ap-
pUrPprlate foreign territories.
Pm! me statement declares that the
soilsn efforts to this end will be in
s s"'n until the Soviet government re
ives al hndrances to free communi-
,ss'gns ~ ny wireless and courier with
'"s r., follsh delegation at Minsk.
Inc Soviet Foreign Minister contin-
Continued on page sIx)