Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-12
COUP AGAINST REDS
NEARS REALIZATION
France, Backed by Small Nations, Likely
Will Strike In Immediate Future.
Italy's Aid Desired.

! Italy to obtain all that was granted
to her under the treaty Of London.
Even were these antipathies over
position in Italy among Italy's So
cialists against any policy that will
| array the country against the reds.
Poles Additional Troubles.
How futile has been the division of
territory and fixing of tentative
frontiers by the allies, furthermore,
evidence that a big per cent of the
people in eastern Europe hope
eventually to do about as they please,
which will mean the releasing of CEN
turies-old antipathies and jeaiousies.
is indicated by the course of events
during the past week, when the clash
of interests between the Poles and
Lithuanians became marked.
Briefly. the Poles charge the Lithu-
anians with having effected an agree
ment with the Russian reds to assist
them, by permitting bolshevik armies
unhindered progress over Lithuanian
territory during the period of the re-
cent Russian offensive, and that the
Lithuanians, likewise, have consented
to make their country a corridor be-
tween East Prussia and Russia.
The possession of Suwalki within
the territorial lines laid down by the
Curzon commission is in dispute. it
having been reoccupied by the Lithu-
anians after the Polish retreat
ognize the Curzon lines of denmark
alton, wants the Suwalki territory
back and is disputed by the Lithu-
anians. ostensibly those having sup
port of the Russian reds, there never
having been radical disagreement
between the Lithuanian government
and Lenin'a
-
In the conflict that has ensued. the
sion. the two countries have been for
mally on the brink of war, hot
heads Of the armies on both sides
having precipitated serious clashes.
Poland has appealed to the league OF
nations to restrain Lithuania- This
little country lying to the north OF
Poland has impudently stated that 1t
does not recognize the Curzon frontier
lines and also threatens to GUST the
French commission which Is said to
have recruited men for Gen. WrangePs
service.
It would appear that an unsupported
edict of the league of nations will
have little effect on Lithuania. though
an adjustment of the whole situation
may be reached when the Poles and
Russians resume their parleys at
Riga, at which, presumably, Lithuania
The Russo-Polish situation in so far
as it's immediate developments are
depends on the parleys
which are to be ushered In with the
arrival of Poles and Russians in Riga,
the use of which city has been grant
ed by Letvia. If the Poles are not too
persistent in pressing home terms of
in the Riga parleys there
may be some hope of an agreement
with the Russians whereby the con-
hicts on the eastern front will subside
and defer co-ordinated action by
France and her allies.
If the Poles and Russians reach an
agreement on their frontiers something
will have been gained. provided the
Russians live up to it's terms. There
is skepticism the world over in this
regard. inasmuch as the chronological
excess of those granted under the
Curzon award and the Russian boil
sheviki may use any effort of the
Poles to claim their rights as pre-
text to break the Riga agreement.
Possibly compliance on the part Of
The bolsheviki merely would usher in
/ period of Quietude, and in the tnte-
rim the regime in Moscow would seek
TO reconcentrate red armies SO that
when spring comes a concerted drive
could be made looking toward the ex-
tinction Of Poland as a nation 1t is
with the belief that, no matter what
agreements may be effected in Riga
they sooner or later will be broken by
the reds, anti-bolshevik plans still
progress.
Should the Poles continue to pre-
pare for eventualities preparation in
itself will give the Russians excuse
for any action they may choose to
take. one Of the tenets Of soviet
ism being the overthrowing Of mill
tary power. particularly that which.
hazards it's world dominion dreams.
the reds naturally overlooking the
fact that the soviet regime is sustained
by military might and that alone.
Poles Russians and the whole of
the peoples residing in eastern Eu-
rope may hold peace conferences ga
lore and for indefinite periods. but
they will do no more than mark
lulls in a prolonged period of hos
tflity which never will end until
there is seated in power in Russia a
regime that is respectful not only to
the rights of its own nationals, but
nefghboring countries as well.
And in the meantime Frances
bolshevik custer plans grow apace.