SILESIAN TANGLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 190, 11 August 1921, Page 5

SILESIAN TANGLE.

MOTIVES OF FRANCE. VICTORS SHOULD HAVE THE BENEFIT IN MATTERS OF DOUBT. <Bx Cable.—Tress Association.—CrßVrtc'-'.)!.') (Received ln.r',o a.m.) PARIS, August 10. M. Briand (Prime Minister of France), replying to Mr. Lloyd George, Eaid that France had no ulterior motives in her designs regarding the division of Upper Silesia. Shu only desired to carry out the Versailles Treaty fairly, but she thought that in matters of doubt the victors ought to have tlie benefit. The Poles had preserved their language for centuries, and had had courage to vote in great numbers for liberation. lie thought that they ought to be emancipated from Germany, with a provision, that in cases of doubt moral considerations should bo taken into account. Upper Silesia ivas a small matter compared with the maintenance of Anglo-French friendship, lie was hopeful that a quick solution would be found. ■Signor Bonomi (Prime Minister of Italy) said that the question was purely economic, depending on whether the industrial area was united or not.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) POISONING DIPLOMACY. NEED FOR PROMPTITUDE. LONDON, August 10. The "Daily Telegraph" observes that the question of Upper Silesia has been poisoning our diplomacy too long. Already it haR indicted ruinous damage to the economy of Central Europe. It is true that a revival of industry will never be possible 'in Silesia while the political fate of the territory is undecided as it has been since the Treaty of Versailles. Upper Silesia will produce nothing for Europe until its political destiny is decided. The "Daily Chronicle" states that Mr. Lloyd George gave a very effective pre sentation of tho British case at the Supreme Council. If its full text could reach the cars of the French public as it was delivered it would go far to dispel any illusion that Mr. Lloyd George and the British nation are not deeply solicitous for the highest interests of France.

The "Daily News" declares that to ensure success it is essential that the Allied experts should report promptly and tho Council act promptly. If Allied unanimity is m>ide clear, a decision can be enforced without much difficulty. The danger of a catastrophe, which was nearly caused by an unhappy combination of procrastination and self-seeking, seema to have been narrowly averted.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) REFLEX ON THE FUTURE. SPINNING WHEELS OF THE PATES. BERLIN, August 10. llerr Theodor Wolff, discussing the Upper Silesian situation in the "Berliner Tageblatt," writes: "The English know what is at stake. The programme of the Supreme Council is amply laden. Will it be forgotten that the future shaping of all problems will lie affected by the decision regarding Upper Silesia? That province is one of those sensitive spots whose upheavals arc felt distantly. It is a French myth that tlie industrial district of Upper Silesia is a (iermaii workshop for future wars, but it is true that the fates hare grnnt spinning works ! there— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) BERLIN PRESS VIEWS.

(Ueceived 2.30 p.m.l BERLIN, August 10. Most of the newspapers feature Mr. Lloyd George's sj>eech as* representing Britain's complete support of the indivisibility of Upper Silesia. The "Frankfurter Zcitung" alone prepares its readers for a compromise agreement. — (A. and N.Z. Cable.)