New-York tribune., 1920-03-08
Berlin Reports Bolsheviki
Have Opened Offensive
and Defenders of Bor-
ders Announce Repulse
Letvia Delegation
Arrives at Warsaw
New State Sends Envoys
to Discuss Peace Plan
offered by Lenine's Aids

LONDON, March Large forces
~ Bolsheviki have opened an offensive
AGAINST the Poles on both sides of the
pripet region, says dispatch to "The
Central News" from Berlin.
The dispatch adds that the Poles re-
mort the enemy was repulsed with
heavy losses.
WARSAW, March THE delegation
from Letvia, which is to attend the
peace conference with the Russian Boil
sheviki, arrived here to-day 1t con-
sists OF the former chief of staff. the
Foreign Minister, the Director of the
Foreign Department and military aid.
WARSAW, March 6 (By The Asso-
socated Press) delayed A formal
conference to frame the answer of
Poland and the border states to the
soviet peace proposals will open Mon
day, but preliminary meetings already
have been held by the military chiefs
to consider thoroughly the plans made
previously for defensive warfare in the
event the peace negotiations fail.
The Finnish, Lettish and Rumanian
delegates are here and the Ukranians
are expected soon. There is a possibil-
ity that Lithuana, and eventually Es-
thonia, will participate in the consulta-
tion, which it is generally believed will
determine Poland's next move in her
stand against Bolshevism.
Poland Demands Damages
Diplomats here say that the opening
Of negotiations between Poland and the
Soviet government hinges on the Polish
demands for restitution and damages
since the partition of the territory in
1772. An unofficial dispatch from Mos
COW says the Bolsheviki already have
taken an attitude intimating that they
have no desire even to open negotia-
tons If Poland demands the frontier of
l4S years ago, as outlined by the Polish
Diets foreign commission.
Should Poland insist on the demand
and the Bolsheviki refuse to acouiesce,
diplomats here say it would mean a
continuance of the present situation.
The Poles are said to be determined to
take some definite action within a few
weeks.
1t is understood that the peace pro-
gram which is to be presented to the
conference on Monday will be submit
ted to the Allied powers for approval.
The border states are said to be eager
10 reach decision, particularly be-
cause OF the approach of spring, when
the long-advertised Bolshevik offensive
against them is due to commence.
Border States Talk Peace
Several OF the representatives Of the
border states have shown restlessness.
The Lettish Foreign Minister, M.
Melrmwitch, in Riga, has announced
that unless the Warsaw conference
reaches a decision the Let's and the
flrns, and possibly the Lithuanians.
Will consider a separate peace with
NJ. Pilsudski, the Polish President,
IN an Interview, declared that Poland
dld not wish to consider peace alone,
Dut desired the opinion of the border
states.
The meeting in Warsaw" said
President Pilsudski. ais the first step
Tor unity by the Eastern countries Of
europe, and in it Poland, in accordance
with its historic mission, will take
first place"
me general opinion here is that the
answer s,i,' to the Soviet peace proposals
WILL be dispatched about April /.
me allegations of German Boil
55lsvik intrigue for an invasion of
Lthusnia, primarily in the German In
,,erest, published by Slovo- Russian
language newspapers here, include the
cnarge that $4,000 Germans have been
concentrated =. in East Prussia, prepared
" invade Lithuania. 1t is intended
" claim necessity for this action be-
sauSe OF the recent revolt of Lithua-
als aisn soldiers in the Kovno region, it is
usslared in one of the dispatches
pfln.ed nN, by these newspapers.
=, other messages have declared that
sac Lithuanian government had q
sssseIet connection with Germany and
sh shas II was believed by Dutch mer-
ttsants In Kovno and other Lithuanian
, .uwns, who were closing their busi-
tSsse ,SeSses and leaving the country, that
s;L t;.fs was possibility that a Bolshe-
ma mA iofce which was under the COM
;n~aa nsna OF German general intended
'"aoing Llthuania from the east.
n;i iHlELsINGFoRs, March THE Fin
,hs .sa general staff has received news
roa; sast the White troops in the Murman
tbs tb'Tn nave penetrated the lines of
nro, ro nSoishevik forces and are now ap-
1''''n'ng the town of Repola.
s,ssces sAavices from Hclsingfors received
bss bs1isuay reported that the Bolsheviki
atta.s;gun sI;egun a new attack on Finland
Snt;A'ng the Finnish positions at
SSas1ervi after heavy artillery bonn.