The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-22
RUSS-POLE PEACE
 FARLEY DRAGGING
May Sign Treaty Before the Plebiscite, Which Is Set
 for March 16
By Associated Press

Libau. February 21-The Russo-Polish peace negotiations are still dragging along at Riga, but they seem to be hope lessly tangled up with French, British and German political and commercial plans. There are indications that the treaty may finally be signed before the plebiscite Is held in Upper Silicia, as the Poles are anxious to dispose of the matter before the plebiscite occurs The plebiscite is set for March B, but it seems likely that it will not be held at so early date.
 The Germans are anxious to prevent the signing of the Russo-Polish treaty prior to the pleblscite, considering that failure~by the Poles to complete a treaty with soviet Russia would strengthen the German contention that Poland is weak and that bolshevik invasion of Ger many is imminent The bolshevik del- egates are playing upon the rival in- terests of the entente powers, the Ger mans and the Poles and prolonging the negotiations, which probably could be terminated speedily if there were no out side influences.
 Meanwhile, the League of Nations com mission in the Baltic states is being highly entertained in Wilma, but set clement of the question surrounding the Zeilgouski adventure into Wilma is being delayed, as seemingly little attention Is being paid to communications from the representatives of the league.
 Rumors of a possible spring advance of the bolsheviki against Poland Esthonia Letvia and Lithuania no longer are causing alarm, as interested observers assert. 1t rapidly becoming evil dent that the boishevilSi do not desire real military campaign. Both the boi- shevik and the Polish armies gradually are disintegrating. as
 News of the aggressive boIshevik move ment in the Caucasus have caused some in the Baltic states, but the general opinion in official circles IS that the bolsheviki- will confine their activities to the Caucasus in the hope of linking up closer with the forces of Mustapna Renal Pasha. the Turkish nationalist leader in Asia Minor, and harrassing the entente in Turkey.
 In the meanwhile. the bolshevik delegation at Riga continues wrang- ling with M. Dombski and the Pollsn delegation over Polands gold demand and the Polish claims for the return by Russians of art and cultural objects carried from Poland into soviet Rus sia.
 
 than at Moscow, and the large delega- tion the bo1sheviki have there makes possible the carrying on of propaganda on a greater scale than would be pos sible through the bolshevik Riga delegation.
 Though the Letvians are thoroughiy tired of the long drawn out visit or the Russians and their alleged propa- ganda against the government, there seems to be little chance of the inn mediate signature of a Russo-Polish treaty.
 Poland undoubtedly is keeping large number of troops along the up per Silescian border. but the German contention that Poland has great inn perialistic designs commands less and less attention among disinteresled observers. most of whom agree that there are more Poles than Germans in upper Silecia and concede Poland s wisdom is being prepared to occupy upper Silecia speedily insacaseia the Poles win in the plebiscite.