Evening star., 1939-09-24
Allied 1naction in West Blamed
For Polish Lightning War Fate
Lloyd George Protests Britain's Failure to Hasten
Aid; Sees Embargo Repeal as Decisive
/ in Europe's Struggle
Bv David LIovd Geoype.
By David Lloyd George.

by q totally different race than the
Poles. White Russia was conquered
by the Poles from Russia in the War
of 1920. The Polish Ukraine was an
nexed by the Poles in 1919 by force of
arms, despite armed resistance by the
Ukrainian population of that province.
The Supreme Council of Allies sitting
in Paris in 1919 protested vehemently
against the action of Pilsudski in forcibly
annexing territory. The Versailles treaty
did not recognize this act of rapacity.
The same thing applies to Wilma, which
was annexed by Pilsudski in spite of
formal protest by the League of Nations.
Polish Buffer State?
The Russians probably will not claim
permanently any purely Polish ground.
The vast majority of the Ukrainian peo-
pie dwell in the Ukrainian Republic.
which constitutes an integral part of the
Soviet Union. Signor Gayda. who is
the recognized official exponent in the
press OF Mussolini's policy, states cate
gorlcally that it is Russias intention
to set up purely Polish state under
Russo German protection.
1t remains to be seen whether the
Russians will succeed in enforcing their
views in this respect on Herr Hitler. It
ought to have been clear that Russia
would not have seen it necessary to
mobilize an army of 4,5OO,0OO men to
enable the Germans to overcome Polish
resistance, which was too obviously
feeble and futile. The objective of that
immense force was not Poland but Get
many.
Balfour on Poland.
In this connection 1t is worth quoting
passage in a remarkable document on
the peace settlement in Europe by the
late Lord Balfour In 1916. It was sub
mitted to the cabinet in a discussion
which was taking place on the war aims
OF the allies. This memorandum is
relevant to consideration of the prob
lens with which We are now confronted
III Germany were relieved of all fear
OF pressure from Russia" Lord Balfour
wrote, land were permitted liberty to
turn her whole strength toward develop
ing her western ambitions, France and
Britain might be the sufferers; am not
by any means confident that cutting off
Russia from her western neighbors might
not divert her interests toward the Far
East to an extent which British states
men could not view without some mis-
givings. The more Russia is made a
European rather than an Asiatic power,
the better for everybody"
Lord Balfour contemplated a purely
Russian protectorate with Polish au-
tonomy. For that Signor Mussolini sub
stitutes purely independent Polish
state with joint protectorate by Rus
sia and Germany.
U. S. Neutrality Decisive.
The second great event of the week is
President Roosevelt's bold intent to re-
peal the arms embargo. If he succeeds
it may well have decisive effect upon
the final issue of the war.
In the first two and half years Of the
great war the allies could not have
fully equipped their armies without
enormous purchases from American
workshops. AS minister of munitions
in 1856, I was very dependent upon
American supplies So were the French
and Russians. These supplies will be
more necessary than ever in this war,
II the fighting is conducted on land
In that case the expenditure of am
munltion will be much greater than it
was in the last struggle. The fortifica-
tions which must be overcome if victory
is to be assured are much more elabo-
rate than they were in 114-1918. More
over, the danger from the air to our
own workshops is much greater. We
shall therefore be more dependent for
our supplies on manufacturers who are
beyond the range of effective bombing,
But it also means that it is more neces-
sary than ever that we should be able
to protect our shipping.
What did Hitler mean by that cryptic
threat of the use of a new weapon
from the attack of which Germany
would be immune? One can only guess
Mine is that he is contemplating q
wholesale attack on our shipping and
harbors from the air. I have always
been apprehensive of that DEVELOPMENT
Of aerial warfare. The fact that it was
successful in blockading Spain is not
conclusive as to its efficiency against
ships escorted by craft equipped with the
latest anti-aircraft guns. But I feel GER
tain that the admiralty is not overlook
ing this menacing contingency.
tCopyright, 1939.)