The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1921-02-03
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

The World war was formally ended
January 10 when Germany and four
teen of the powers allied against her
In the war exchanged ratifications Of
the Treaty of Versailles at Paris. The
United States, however, was not
among the nations participating in this
ceremony, as the treaty had not been
ratified by the senate.
The League Of Nations came into
actual being at Paris January 10 when
the executive council held its first
meeting with representatives from Bel
GUM. Brazil, England. Italy. France,
Japan, Greece and Spain participat-
ing.
The Russian government made
step toward securing peace with Its
warning neighbors by concluding
treaties with Ukraine and Esthonia.
The Turkish peace terms were COM
pleted on March 8, and a week later
the Allies decided to use force to Inn
pose the terms upon Turkey. sending
troops to occupy Constantinople. The
allied forces occupied the Turkish
capital without opposition
Polish troops began spring Often
sive against the Russian Bolsheviki in
the Baltic region on March %. Warsaw
reported heavy fighting at many points
on the 4O0-mile front. Three days lat
er Poland offered peace terms to Rus
sia, providing for restoration of the
kingdom of 1772. return Of art and
other treasures. and an indemnity for
invasions since 1914. Polish troops ad-
ministered q severe defeat to the Boil
sheviki at Podolia April IS.
The Poles and Ukraininns negotiat-
ed treaty on April 81. recognizing
Ukrainian independence from Russia.
A combined army Of Poles and Ukra.n-
ians then launched an offensive against
the Russian "Red" forces, capturing
Kiev on May and the great port Of
Odessa on May IL.
Bolshevik troops invaded Persia at
Astara May IS. forcing the withdrawal
OF British troops. Bolshevik troops
on the Polish front were REINFORCED
and launched an attack on ninety
mile front. seeking to open communi-
cation with East Prussia. On June 8
they succeeded In fianklng and driving
back General Pilsudski's Polish troops.
The supreme council continued Its
efforts to complete the peace settle
ments. The treaty With Hungary was
signed June at Versailles. Ambassa-
dor Wallace signing for the United
States. Turkey was granted fifteen
days additional time to present Its
views regarding the treaty with that
country.
While these peace negotiations were
In progress. fighting continued at many
points. Over 300 italian prisoners were
killed by Albanians at TIrana on June
IS In retaliation for the assa Ia tion
of Essad Pasha in Paris on June 13.
Supported by British troops and bat
tleships at Malta and Constantinople.
the Greeks began campaign to oust
the Turkish Nationallsts from parts of
Asia Minor.
On July the Bolshevik troops cap
tured Rovono. throwing the Poles Into
retreat on the entire front. Poland
opened negotiations for an armIstlce
and these continued for week when
II was reported that Ruscia had or
dered the postponement Of the nego-
tiations and the capture Of Warsaw W.
Bolshevist troops captured Lomza and
Brest-Litovsk, and hegan drive on
Lemberg August l. During the next
two weeks they continued to advance
and on August II were within twelve
miles OF Warsaw. The Polish capital
seemed doomed. but IN the 18th the
Poles launched great counter-of-
fensive and drove the Bolsheviki back
in disorder. Heartened by the crush.
ing blow given the Russian forces
the Poles rejected the Bolshevik peace
terms.