BEFORE THE AGREEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 38, 13 August 1921, Page 5

BEFORE THE AGREEMENT

APPROVAL OF FRENCH ATTITUDE.

' (Received August 13, 9 a.m.) ; * PARIS, lSfch-Angast:.; ; .The newspapers unanimously approve d{ France's attitude, and declare that if the disagreement concerning .Upper. Silesia continues it will not be the fault of J&'rance. , The Petit Journal points out that M. Briand informed the British delegation that the last possible concession was Count Sforza's frontier line* France has the-right to demand proof of England's friendship. England s line gives Germany all the industrial triangle, -while the concessions to Poland are exclusively, agricultural land. , ■ > The changed oiitlook at the Supreme Council was arrived at with most dramatic suddenness on Thursday night. The experts worked late the previous night, attempting^ to present an. acceptable coifipromise regarding Upper Silesia,' in readiness for the council ,s morning session.' Mr. Lloyd George, Lord Curzon, and the French delegation met at breakfast on Thursday, and discussed the situation. It was immediately obvious that M. Briand'had become more insistent than previously, appealing strenuously for the adoption qf the French viewpoint. Mr. Lloyd George was adamant, and declared that it was necessary to await the'experts' report, lie firmly opposed further procrastination. An immediate solution was necessary in' everyone's interest. / After two -hours' discussion Mr. Idoyd George peremptorily declined'to make any concession. .-■''.

LONDON, 12th August. ; Mr. Lloyd George, M. Briand, and Lord Curzon had unsuccessfully' attempted to arrive at an understanding, but. the task proved y hopeless. Following sensational rumours crediting the British delegation with the intention of packing up their bags and baggage and returning to London, Mr. Lloyd George and M. Briand had a further interview in the evening, after which the following seraiofficial communique was issued:—"The oxperts have reported regarding Upper Silesia^ and the > report ' has been discussed by the Allied representatives. Certain differences of opinion exist between Britain and Italy on the one hand and France on the other. ■■ The proposals of the British and Italians are now being considered by the French' Government."

The Paris correspondent of the Daily Express Btates that the rupture was cansed -by a clause in the expert*' reNport that certain communes were inseparably divided, '' which upsets the French partition, scheme. The entire question has been referred back to the experts. It is hoped that the Council ■will have a new proposition warranting resumption on Saturday.