RUSSIA, POLAND AND AMERICA
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
SIR,—The United Nations are passing, at this moment, through the gravest political crisis which has occurred since the outbreak of war.
The whole question of the co-operation of the Allies, and even the future of Europe, depends upon the way in which this unfortunate dispute is settled. Personally, I am very far from regarding the situation as in any way desperate. A friendly settlement is still possible, if only the .Interested parties show an equally strong desire to reach agreement. Anglo-American mediation must be brought into play with energy and Impartiality, and must be accepted on both sides. The outstanding points in this dispute are the following: r. It is not a question of a quarrel between Russia and Poland, but of a difference of opinion between Russia and the Allies with regard to the frontiers of Poland. It is certain that this problem cannot be considered apart from the general problem of peace and security. The solution must be sought by means of a general agreement. Security and justice are indivisible. We must not dissociate but associate our efforts, and political difficulties cannot be settled in the full tide of battle. We must wait for a more opportune moment.
2. No frontier line can be dictated to or imposed on an Allied country but only on the enemy. The Allies must combine and discuss freely the various proposals for a settlement. All attempt at force must be rigorously excluded from inter-Allied discussions.
3. It is a fact that the whole of. Europe is observing us. If we fail to settle this difference our ill-success will have an immense repercussion throughout the world, and could even affect the results of the war. We should thus have proved to the enemy our inferiority complex, on which he never ceases to insist, as an axiomatic truth.
4. The Atlantic Charter, signed by Russia as well as by Great Britain, must not be allowed, in its turn, to become a " mere scrap of paper." Politicians who advise us to despoil a wsak Ally to benefit a strong Ally abandon all ideas of right and justice An order to place themselves en the side of physical force and thus render the worst possible service to the cause of peace, because they are working against the interests of their own country.
5. I am the very first to pay homage to the magnificent war efforts of our Soviet Ally, but I should be less than Christian were I to forget that Poland was our very first Ally ; that we have bound ourselves by the most solemn engagement to protect her ; and that the Polish nation has, since September, 1939, carried Out every duty imposed upon it, and has continued the struggle with a courage and loyalty whiCh excite' the admiration of the world. The attitude adopted by the Polish Government in its recent declarations Is conciliatory in the extreme, and shows the strongest determination to arrive at an honourable and durable settlement. if we sacrifice Poland, to whom we owe so much, Europe will turn aside from us in disgust. The ideals inscribed' upon our standards—the ideals for which, every day, millions. of our sons are fighting and dying, cannot be regarded simply as pious sentiments. I cannot help repeating that all eyes are fixed upon us and judging us, and I maintain that our prestige in the world ' of tomorrow depends upon our attitude at the present moment. It is because, in this war, we have shown that we possess moral courage, that we have finally won over the public opinion of the world and induced it to support our cause.
Having watched our Foreign Secretary very closely, and heard many of his speeches; delivered publicly in the House of Commons and confidentially in committee rooms, I am convinced that he is capable of drawing up a formula which, while safeguarding the essential and inalienable rights of the Polish nation, will, at the same time, save the honour of the flags of the United Nations.—I am, dear Sir, your
Previous page
