Evening star., 1920-09-03
POLAND REJECTS u, S. PLEA
TO REMAIN WITHIN FRONTIER
Unfair to Demand Promises Of Warsaw
Not Enforced Against Moscow, Says
Official Note-Po1es Desire Peace.

Poland has declined to jeepardixe
her military operations against the
bolsheviki by binding herself to re-
gard the Vartifcial boundaries" laid
down at the peace conference. Reply
ing to Secretary Colby's suggestion
that Poland remain within the lines
specified by the peace conference. the
Polish government states it's position
as fellewsi
attitude Of eur allies, the Polish ma
ton had to face the danger alone,
and political events proved that it
must in the nrst place rely upon Its
own military strength. II military
operations neeessitated the measures
to prevent a renewed invasion Of Po-
land, it could hardly be considered
fair that artincial boundaries that do
not bind one opponent should inter-
fere with the military operations OF
the other
The text of the correspondence be-
tween the American and Polish gov
ernments relative to the Polish-Rus-
sian situation was made public last
night at the State Department. 1t
consisted of a message addressed 10
President Wilson by Premier Witos
of Poland, q note by Secretary Colby
under date of August 81, and two re-
plies from the Polish government, one
under date of August % and the other
Of August 30.
The general nature Of the corre-
spondence had become known pre-
vious to its being made public last
yesterday characterized the Polish
replies a. entirely satisfactory.
The message Of Premier WitoS 70
President Wilson was made pubic ny
the Polish government at the ume
it was sent. secretary COPY In IN
attention to the recent note OF the
American government to the Italian
government expressing the belief that
the territorial integrity OF RUSSIA
should be respected. Continuing. Sec
retary Colby said: -.
steadfast gallantry OF the Polish
army in its defense of Warsaw and Is
SYMPATHETIC with all necessary meas
ures which Poland may take 10 pre-
serve its political and territorial m
teErity. This government. however.
urges that every reasonable effort be
made to terminate the present bloods
shed. It could not approve the adop-
ton Of an offensive war program
against Russia by the Polish govern
ment. =.
opinion that the Polish advance into
Russia tended to create national
sentiment in that country whicn
ignored the tyranny and oppression
from which the people suner ana
afforded an undeserved support 20 tns ne
bolshevik regime. which enabled It's
leaders to embark upon the invasion
of Polish territory.
ITO prevent a recurrence OF the
present situation, the United states
government believes that the Poiisn
portunity afforded by the favorable
turn of events to declare it's intention
to abstain from any aggressions
against Russian territorial integrity:
to state that it's policy is not directed
against the restoration OF strong
and united Russia, and that pending
a direct agreement as to its eastern
frontier. Poland will remain within
the boundary indicated by the peace
"This government fully appreciates
the difficulties and dangers when
but it believes that the most effective
method of combating the efforts OF
their negotiators would be the ex-
hibition of moderation by Poland ana
the insistence only upon such terms
as are essential to the safety. the
integrity Of the Polish state"
The Polish minister of foreign at
fairs. Prince Sapieha, in his first note
Of reply. declared that the solicitude
expressed by the, American govern
ment for the maintenance of political
Independence and territorial integrity
81 Poland was very gratifying to the
Polish nation and has been h1ghly
appreciated by the Polish. govern
ment as a guarantee that the rights
Of the Polish nation shall never De
Deep gratitude also was expressed
by Foreign Minister Sapieha for the
American governments open Con-
demnation Of the political system and
methods of the bolshevik govern
ment." The foreign minister added
that Poland's war against Russia was
being waged against bolshevism. ana
not against the Russian people.
'aThe Polish government, Prince
Sapieha declared, has always been
Guided only by it's duty to defend
the independence and territorial in
Merfty Of Poland and guard Europe
arairst the bolshevik wave"
!. Direct answer to Secretary Colbys
admonition to abstain from terri
torial aggressions against Russia was
made in the second note forwarded by
the Polish government, in which 1t
was stated:
equitable peace, and has not altered