The Press Tuesday, July 26, 1921. France and Britain.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17207, 26 July 1921, Page 6

The Press Tuesday, July 26, 1921. France and Britain.

It iB very disappointing that) the situa- ' tion in Upper Silesia continues a source \ of friction betwcen'France and Britain. t The future of Upper Silesia-was in prooess of solution according to the pro- '■ ' -visions of the' Versailles Treaty when ' Korfanty launched his insurrection with the object of presenting the Allies with a fait accompli. From the beginning it * r - was evident tthat the Polish disturbers \ -, of the peace were supported by France, { and it accordingly became incumbent ' upon Britain to insist that the Treaty ' 'must be oarried out. Britain's duty was' performed by Mr Lloyd George in y two public statements which were greet--1,1 etTwitb, cries of indignation in France, ' i-bnC with warm approval everywhere /." else. Britain, he said, would not stand '' by while the Treaty wsb trampled upon. 1 % "The childreri of the Treaty," (he said, "cannot be allowed to break crockery *'"m Europe-,with impunity. Some"hody must palace a restraining hand 'v "on theinj^ajtberwise.there will be con/•Vftjnual trouble. The course of the ( " world in the coming years cannot be " forecasted. The mists ahead are more , "~ "than usually,' dense. Much will de- ' ' "ipend on the Allies holding together. f " Apart from treaty obligation*, events "which cannot be foreseen must deter. "mine the future groups of nations, / "'and'the -future of -the world, and Vftwificiallv of Europe, will be deter-

"der these circumstances the Treaty of "Versailles is a document of infinite "moment, especiallly to the nations of "the Entente. It binds us together " when there is bo much to divide ns. "Those who treat its provisions as if "they were the sport of passion and "prejudice may not have to live long "to regret their hot-headedness." The firmness of Mr Lloyd George's attitude led to a- moderation of tlhe tone of the French Press, and it was generally hoped that the French Government would devote itself to assisting towards such an arrangement as would prevent any attempt to interfere with a final settlement. The unwillingness of France to co-operate frankly and unreservedly with her Allies has kept Upper Silesia in a state of unrest, and France is now threatening to act alone in sending troops to Poland. A Warsaw telegram printed on Saturday reported that Franco and Poland had actually concluded a Treaty, under wftich Poland would maintain a huge standing army with the aid of a French subsidy, and would make concessions to France in the mining areas? The anxiety of France to aid Poland in obtaining Upper Silesia is based upon France's d9sire to create a strong Ally on the west of Germany. Whether such an arrangement would make for that European peace and stability which Britain desires is very doubtful indeed, but whetiher it would or would not do so, Britain's business is to protect the Versailles Treaty. France has apparently failed to weigh correctly the consequences of a disregard of the Treaty on her part, and the strain between the Allies has been renewed. "The Times," which always inclines towards the Frondh. view in matters arising out of the. unrest in Europe, is now pleading for a frank discussion "based upon an " absolute determination to make the "Entente more effective than ever." It deplores the increasing divergency between the views of France and those of Britain, and says that the differences "must be overcome by a broader and "more energetic policy of union be"tween France and Britain." To this most people can readily assent; but the remedy lies with France. She has over and over again shown less regard for(her Ally and for her own obligations under the Entente and under the Treaty than Britain, has had a right to expect. Such is Britain's anxiety to maintain the Entente, and British sympathy with France in her losses through tlhe war, that the British Government and people have shown a patience and kindness almost without example. It will be infinitely regrettable if France passes the point beyond which patience and goodwill cannot be maintained, but if she does, Britain wilL not be to blame.