GERMAN THREAT.

Grey River Argus, 17 December 1928, Page 5

GERMAN THREAT.

TO LEAVE LEAGUE. Over Silesian Racial Rivalry. (Received December 16 at 5.5. p.m.) LONDON, December 15. At Lugano, there was an unprecedentedly angry scene at tho final meeting of the Leatfue of Nations Council, during h discussion on the protection of minorities in Upper Silesia. Si'gnor Adatchi Rapporteur read a petition from the Deutsche Volks Bund complaining of the Polish authorities’ treatment of German school children. Thereupon, M. Zaleski, the Polish Foreign Minister, jumped up and retorted. He violently attacked the German minorities in Upper Silesia, and he declared that the Volks Bund was an organisation of spies, whose interference frequently had prevented a settlement. If they were permitted to continue, he said, the Volks Bund would not only prevent the consolidation of Upper Silesia, but would be a menace to European peace. Herr Stresemann (the German Foreign v Minister) listened to the Polish Minister with anger. Impatiently’ drowning the Chairman. Herr Strese mann immediately M. Zayeski ceased, heatedly replied, shouting at the top of his voice, and punctuating his remarks by thumping the table. He characterised M. Zaleski’s speech as a proof of enmity of minorities. It was scandalous that a member of the League Council, which was entrusted with the protection of minorities, should speak so vigorously. He denied M. Zaleski’s allegations, and demand'd that the whole question be reviewed «.t the next session. ]\[. Briand (French Foreign Minister), hoping tho dispute would not inflame public opinion, promised a discussion at the next Council meeting. $ RIGHTS OF avIINORITIES. STRESEMANN’S PROTEST. (Received December 16 at 5 p.m.) LONDON, December 15. During his altercation with M. Zaleski, Herr Stresemann made one remark which many journalists construed into a threat that Germany might leave the League. Herr Stresemann later told a reporter that he had not been as definite as that, but said he told the Council plainly that if the League did not defend the rights of minorities, certain nations, includ iiig Germany, would consider whether it was to their interests to remain in

the League. The exact passage creating the impression that Germany intended to withdraw from the League, arose during Herr Stresemann’s reply to M. Zaleski’s attack on the Germans in Upper Silesia. Stresemann declared: “Do you want to undertake a polemic against Germany? Do you want, by your speech, to reopen old wounds? if the League ceases to occupy itself with the rights of minorities, it will lose one of the reasons for its existence; it will no longer represent, so far as certain states are concerned, the ideal which induced them to enter the League. M. Briand was good-humoured when he left the final sitting. Jokingly he said: “There was a clap of thunder which disturbed the Council’s usual composure, and hit the sun for a moment, but the sun reappeared. Everybody is. now calmer and more compo cd. ’ ’ A FURTHER NOTE. TO SOUTH AMERICAN REPUBLICS (United Service.) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn). (Received December 16 at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 15. The League Council at Lugano decided to send a new note to Bolivia and Paraguay, and to despatch copies to all members of the League, reminding the republics of their international obligations, and appealing to them to exercise moderation. M. Briand will summon a special meeting of the Council if necessary. The Council rose and Sir A. Chamberlain (British Foreign Minister) departed for London