The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-09-03
POLAND DECLINES
 ID BIND HERSELF
 ID REGARD BORDER
Forced to Face Danger Unaid- ed, Cannot Recognize Ar tificiaI Boundaries Which
 Are Ignored By Reds
By Associated Press

By Associated Prsss
 Washington, September 2.--Po-
 land has declined to jeopardixe her
 military operations against the
 boIsheviki by binding herself to re-
 gard the "artiffcial boundaries"
 laid down at the peace conference.
 Replying to Secretary Colby's sug- gestion that Poland remain within the lines specified by the peace confer ence, the Polish government states it's position as follows:
 Notwithstanding the sympathetic at titude of our allies, the Polish nation had to face the danger alone. and polit- ical events proved that it must in the first place rely upon sits own military strength. If military operations neces- sitated the measures to preveN re- newed invasion of Poland. it could hardly be considered fair that artificial boundaries that do not bind one op- ponent should interfere with the mili- tary operations of the other"
 The text of the correspondence be- tween the American and Polish gov ernments relating to the Polish Rus sian situation was made public tonight at the state department It consisted of a message addressed to President Wilson by Premier Witos of Poland, note by Secretary Colby under date of August 21, and two replies from the Polish government cue under date of, August 2S and the other of August 30t
 The general nature of the correspon- dence had become known previous to its being made public tonight and state department official yesterday c a r cf Ia "A tirely satisfactory"
 The message of Premier Witos to President Wilson was made public by the Polish government at the time it was sent. Secretary Colby in acknowl- edging took occasion to call attention to the recent note of the American government to the Italian government expressing the belief that the terri torial integrity of Russia should be respected. Continuing. Secretary Colby said:
 OFFENSIVE DISCOURAGED
 The United States appauds the steadfast gallantry of the Polish army in its defense of Warsaw and is sym pathetic with all necessary measures which Poland may take to preserve its political and territorial integrity. This government, however, urges that every reasonable effort be made to terminate the present bloodshed. It could not ap- prove the adoption of an offensive war programme against Russia of the Polish government.
 The American government is of the opinion that the Polish advance into Russia tended to create a national senti- ment in that country, which ignored the tyranny and oppression from which the people suffer ant afforded an undeserved support to the 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 Polish government might we'll take the opportunity afforded by the favorable turn of events to de- clare it's intention to abstain from any aggressons against RUssan territorial integrity; to state that it's policy is not directed against the restoration of a strong and united Russia, and that pend- ing direct agreement as to it's eastern frontier, Poland will remain within the boundaries indicated by the peace con- ference.
 This government fully appreciates the difficulties and dangers which attend dealings with the bolsheviki, but it believes that the most effective method of combating the efforts of their nego- tiators would be the exhibition of mod eration by Poland and the insstence only upon such terms as are essential to the safety. the full sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Polish state.
 The Polish minister of foreign affairs, Prince Sapieha. in his first note of reply. declared that the solicitude expressed by the American governne ent for, the main- tenance of political independence and ter ritorial integrity of Poland was very gratifying to the Polish nation and has been highly appreciated by the Polish government as guarantee that the rights Of the Polish nation shall never be curtailed.''
 GRATITUDE EXPRESSED
 Deep gratitude also was expressed by Foreign Minister Sapieha for the Ameri can governments "open condemnation Of the political system and methods of the holshevik government" The foreign min- ister added that Poland's war against Russia was being waged against bol shevism and not against the Russian people"
 Direct answer to Secretary Colby's ad morition to abstain from territorial ag- gressions' against Russia was made in the second note forwarded by the Polish government, in which it was stated;
 Poland desires a just lasting and equitable peace, and has not altered her attitude in consequence of her recent victory.
 The Polish government, however. has the honor to draw the attention of the United States government to circum- stance that the provisional eastern from tier laid down by the peace conference has not been respected by the bolsheyik government. In spite of the diplomatic intervention of our allies. the red army has for whole month advanced and ravaaed territory which fig admitted by all of us as being ethnogra phically Pol ish.
 ''Notwithsta the sympathetic at titude of our allies, the Polish nation had to face the danger alone and polit-