The disclosure of the Bolsheviks' real intention made a strong
impression upon Mr. Lloyd George and Signor Giolitti, who met in conference at Lucerne on Sunday. The two Prime Ministers announced on Monday that they had heard with profound regret that the Bolsheviks, " in spite of their repeated assurances to the contrary, given officially on their behalf by their representative in London," sought to impose on Poland " conditions incom- patible with national independence." Poland had universal suffrage. The proposal to arm only one class of its citizens was an indirect method of 'promoting the overthrow by violence of Poland's democratic constitution and substituting for it the despotism of a few Bolsheviks. To add such a condition to the peace terms was " a gross breach of faith." " Negotiations of any kind with a Government which so lightly treats its word become difficult if not impossible." The Bolsheviks had invaded Poland in order to force her to adopt Communism. If the Bolsheviks, despite their defeat, would not withdraw " this sinister proposal," but continued to fight for it on Polish soil, no free Government could acknowledge or deal with " the Soviet oligarchy." Great Britain and Italy sought peace, which must be based on the full recognition of the liberties of nations.
