WAR IN SILESIA.

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1921, Page 3

WAR IN SILESIA.

SPEECH BY LLOYD GKOB-GH ! VEILED THBEAT OF WAR. “ LLOYD GEORGE STANDS FILM. ! FRENCH PRESS 1 WARNED. LLOYD GEORGE AND BRIAND i THEIR NEXT MEETING. LONDON, May IS. | Mr. Lloyd George, in a stat ement I io the Press, adhered io the declara- I tion ho made in the House of Com-1 minis on the subject of Upper Silesia. He declared that the almost un- > tnimous approval of the Americans, , Italians, and British, showed that these great nations, wliit h had stood | beside France in the West, meant to interpret the Treaty ot \ ersailies He warned the French Press that I the habit of treating every expression of Allied opinion which did not i coincide with their own as impertiii-I viico, wa.s fraught with mischief. Such j an attitude, if persisted in, would be j fatal to the Entente. (Reed. May 39? at H- 30 P- ul -) LONDON, May 19. Mr Lloyd George, in reply to the French criticism over his speech on i Silesia, said. ‘ The world’s course in coming yea-rs cannot be forecasted. The mists ahead are unusually dense. Much will depend upon the Allies | holding together. Apart from Treaty I obligations, unforeseen events must determine the future groups of nations. The future of the world, es-, penally Europe, will he determined by j old or new friendship. Hence th2' Treaty of Versailles is a document of 1 infinite moment, especially to the Ln-, tento nations, binding us together i when there is so much to divide us. , Those - who treat its provisions as if j they were the sport of passion or prejudice may not have to live long loi regret their hot-hcadnesS. 'l'he Brit-1 ish people will shirk no part of their . responsibilities under the Tieaty- I There are temporary difficulties which make it difficult to spare troops, but I I confidently anticipate these will be • over soon a*nd I would call attention to the fact that at the recent confer-J ence we intimated our readiness, if > Germany refused the Allied terms, to J place the British fleet at the disposall of the Allies.” I Mr Lloyd George declared: ‘The British Government was anxious to | have the /division of Upper Silesia, settled at the London Conference. All < • facts regarding the plebiscite Uire known, but our Allies were not* ready to proceed with it discussion. AVe will abide faithfully by the decision of the majority of powers who have voices under the Treaty in defin- • d'ng Silefeia’fc* boundary's! whatever | their verdict. AVo fully accept the ! plebiscite as an expression of the wishes of the people of Silesia: but, having entered a great war and sustained gigantic losses in defence of the old | Treaty to which this country was aparty, Britain cannot- consent to, Maud by wh’/lo the Treaty, which her representatives signed less than two wars ago, is trampled upon.” PARTbq May 18. It appears unlikely that M. Bria nd rind Mr. Lloyd George will meet this : week-end. The debate in the Chamber of .Deputies the London Conference is ' expected to bo continued on Saturday | and Monday. A conference will pro-1 bably be held next week. • Le Temps," 'in an article criticising Mr. Lloyd George, says i.e truth I is that these conferences have he- j come unpopular in Trance. V i s j quite idle for any conference to give | „ decision regarding Silesia, until Eng- I land b-s sent sufficient troops ioas-| Hire the maintenance of order and < the execution of what is desired. J'KENtTI ATTITUDE'. (Received May 19 at 11.30 p.m.) I'AlilS, Muy 18. . The Polish Minister lias informed | the Ambassador eoiin.il that his Government absolutely diavows the Silesian insuiestion. It took all nivtisnres . to prevent communication Lei worn Poland 'and the Plebiscite 1 rrritarirs. and | is exercising its iniliciH■<*, I<> restore I calm. The Polish Government Hunks it desirable that Germany should oh- I serve a 'similar attitude, tin* troubles being due to tin' Gorman siat'smcn. I - | ITALY’S LITTLE HILL To BOLAND! ROME. May Is. Italy is new demanding from Poland' Seven million lire as <*onip<Tis'alion for I the loss <>f soldiers killed in rrecnl j Milesian fighting — AMERICA AND SILESIA. WASHINGTON, May 18. Mr Hughes Jias informed Prince Lulioiuirski, the Polish Ambassador that the United States is not concerned in Upper Silesian question.