New-York tribune., 1920-09-07
Pilsudski Seeks Friendship
With View to Strengthen.
ing His Positions for
Attacks Upon Bolsheviki
Farley Planned at Once
Conference Will Be Held at
Mal'ienpol, Near Kovno;
Warsaw's Aims Clear
BY Ralph Courtney
Special Gable to The Tribune

$ASSS
tween themselves and Lithuania abso-
lutely necessary to the success of the
policy they are now pursuing. Presi-
dent Pilsudski plans to advance in the
north to the Niemen River, in order
to strengthen his left wing for future
battles with the Bolsheviki. Poland
also hopes to attract Lithuania into
her political system for the purposes
of Poland in this program.
The Poles at first tried to intimi-
date the Lithuanians into cooperation
with them and advanced into Lithu-
ania, regardless of the frontier de-
marcations. They took Sayny and
reached points twenty or more miles
north of Suwalki. AS the Poles ad-
vanced it became more and more evil
dent that the Lithuanians intend ed to
resist.
The Poles treasured the Lithuanian
authorities that they had no intention
81 1i+h'ang taxing permanent possession Of
lithuanian territory, but desired
friendly cooperation. The Lithusnians.
however, distrusted Polish promises,
tearing. possession might later cause
the Poles to change their mind. The
Llthuanlans decided to defend their
frontier.
Polish Army Defeated
In a we'll timed counter attack. thew
threw back the Polish army, which. in
the words Of Polish apologists, with
drew spontaneously" when it was
realized that the Lithuanians were not
prepared to submit to the Polish ad-
vance. Both the Poles and the Lithu-
anlans publish protests against unwar-
ranted hostile acts by the other side.
The Poles now suggest that the Lith-
uanlans attacked them in the neigh
borhood of Suwalki in territory incon-
testably Polish.
After the Lithuanian counter attack.
pom partles were back to-day approxir
mately on the Curzon line. The Poles
DECLARE they have a perfect right to
establish their ownership of territory
east of this line in accordance with the
terms of the Allied declaration of
December, 1919. The Lithuanians re-
slst this contention by appealing to the
boundary agreed upon between the
Soviets and Lithuania in the peace
signed July u last
The Llthuanians are accused of beinp
IN League with the Bolsheviki, or atleast
willing tools in their hands. After
throwing the Poles back to their ap
proxlmate frontiers, it is reported that
the Llthuanians assured the Poles of
conference at Marienpol. It is honed
tonight in France that a conference
Will result in an agreement for mutual
cooperation,
The Lithuanians will undoubtedly
try to sell their hostility dearly. while
the Poles will threaten the Lithuanians
with the Versailles Treaty and posi-
Bile Allied pressure, unless they come
to terms. 1t is understood that France
IS prepared to take this question be-
fore the supreme council for dis
cussion.
Reds Conduct Raids
Meanwhile the new peace parlev az
Marienpol will begin its session al
most Immediately. The French and
Iollsh polcy Of separating the Rus
slans from the Germans will gain an
other victory if Lithuanian cooperation
is purchased.
Inc Poles estimate that 10000
bolshevlki fed into East Prussia and
INSIST that many OF these escaped back
lnto Kussla. A large part Of the Rus
sian 50 Cavalry Corps is reported to
nave got away through German terri.
tory. The troops in that organiza-
ton were not disarmed while in East
Prussia.
Bands of armed Bolsheviki are even
now crossing into Poland, it is alleged.
and after attacks on Polish towns are
retiring into East Prussia. Bolshevik
bands operating in this way attacked
Doth Ossowiecz and Philipowa.
Some Germans are said to be helping
the Bolsheviki. The Poles took q
sserman captain prisoner in the neigh
borhood of Suwalki
PARIS, Sept 6.-Rostilities between
Poland and Lithuan1a are almost over,
according to advices reaching official
circles here to-day. Peace negotiations
will be begun Immediately at Mariem-
! pol, southwest Of Kovno, 1t was added
The suggestion that the negotiations
be held in Mariempol came from the
Lithuanians, Foreign Office advices
said.