New-York tribune., 1920-07-22
Britain Tells
Poles to Ask
Reds for Peace
Lloyd George Advises Pro-
posai When Russia Re-
fuses Truce Except ON
Initiative of Warsaw
Better Frontier Offered
Soviet Wireless Sends Out
Refusal of British
Request for Armistice

LONDON, July 81 (By The Associ-
ated Press. The Russian Soviet gov
eminent to-day sent out by radio from
Moscow statement announcing that it
had refused the British demand for
an immediate armistice with Poland
The statement, which was signed BY
Premier Lenine, Minister of War Trot-
zky, Foreign Minister Tchitcherin and
Commissioner Of Justice Kurski, ap-
peals to the workers and peasants of
Soviet Russia and the Ukraine for sup
port.
The announcement insists that the
soviet is willing to make peace with
Poland if the Warsaw government ini-
tiates proce edings. and says that Rus
~sia will concede Poland a new eastern
frontier east of that proposed by the
Allies.
To test the sincerity of the soviet's
statement. Poland has been advised to
apply TO Moscow for an armistce, Pre-
mier Lloyd George said. The British
note making this proposal, which was
dispatched to Warsaw yesterday, as
sumed that the soviet was ready to
make peace.
In official circles the soviet reply is
taken to indicate that there are two
parties in Moscow, and whether the
war or peace party Will prevail will
not be known before the end of the
week.
Statement in Commons
Discussing the Polish reply to the
British ultimatum, Mr.. Lloyd George
told the House of Commons that al
though it was incoherent, ambiguous
and propaganda largely intended for
home consumption, he had understood
it to indicate the soviet's willingness
to negotiate direct with Poland.
Mr.. Lloyd George said there we're
some phases in the soviet message in
dicating that the Bolsheviki were pre-
pared to discuss the matter only with
a proletariat government He declared
the soviet government had no right to
dictate to Poland what sort of govern
ernment the Poles should have.
The Premier asserted that an in
dependent Poland was essential to the
whole fabric of peace, and the Allies
the destruction of Poland and the
march of Bolshevik armies through Po-
lish territory. If the Bolsheviki over
ran Poland. they would be up against
the German frontier, and Mr.. Lloyd
George said this would furnish Ger
many great temptation with her
millions OF trained men.
Fears German Coup
1t would be cheap way, according
10 the Premier for Germany to get
out of her obligations. 81 only ask the
members to think whether it might not
have the effect of depriving the Allies
Of the fruits of the dearlv-bought vic
tory" Mr. Lloyd George added
MIR. Lloyd George pointed out that
the Soviet government had not been
chosen by the Russian people, and he
declared that 1t was as great an auto
cracy as its predecessor.
The Premier announced that the
British Ambassador at Berlin had gone
to Poland, and said it was possible
that Marshal Foch would go there
later.
1t was to the interest of Great
britain and to Europe that Palond
should not be wiped out, declared the
Premier.
viii Equip Polish Troops
Mr.. Lloyd George said that England
means to organize and equip the 3OO,-
600 volunteers Poland has just raised.
1t was lmmaterial whether the peace
conference met in London or else
where He had hoped to get Rumania
and Czecho Slovakia also into the con-
terence, and thereby attain real peace
IN Europe, which was what was wanted
20 permit the world to get to it's bust
ness. However, he did not desire to
dictate, if the Poles could negotiate
directly with the Soviet.
Concluding, the Premier asked the
House to compare the position in 1914
with the position at the present time.
A defeated and disarmed Gkrmany
was suing for consideration and assist
ance to conference presided over by
the Premier of a country which the
Germans formerly despised- Belgium.
He pleaded with the House for pa