TERRORISM IN SILESIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17255, 3 September 1919, Page 7

TERRORISM IN SILESIA.

BRUTAL GERMAN TYRANNY.

ALLIED OCCUPATION URGED. Times. LONDON, Sept. 1. | The Times correspondent in Silesia J states that though the Allied Com- | mission has begun an inquiry into ! the insurrection in Upper Silesia, the Germans continue to terrorise the colliery centres. Troops indulge in bursts of machine-gun fire in the streets, and people are compelled to use passports at night, otherwise they are shot. The Germans with a view to justifying the recent outrages, allege that the insurgents provoked the troops, committing numerous atrocities. The Polish military authorities declare that the evidence of the alleged atrocities is manufactured. If any have been committed they are nothing compared with the horrors of which the Germans were guilty. J The correspondent supports the j Polish denial, and states that he per- I sonally investigated over 50 cases of ' murder and brutality. For example, I one of the insurgents was tied by! the arms to the stirrups of two j cavalrymen and the horses were J spurred to a gallop until the victim's j arms were torn out by the sockets, j The Allied Commission at present is • taking evidence only of Germans, j and has not yet inspired the confi- I dence of the people, who view the inquiry with pessimism, but remain quiet, awaiting its results. German tyranny is not likely to end urless allied troops are sent to Silesia. Speedy occupation is desirable in order to strengthen M. Paderewski's hands at Warsaw. Deputations interviewed M. Paderewski and General Pilsudski, and demanded Polish intervention in Upper Silesia. M. Paderewski replied that it was not intended to give Germany the excuse she desired, but otherwise he would use every means to prevent further ill-treatment of Poles. He hoped the Allies would ratify the treaty at the earliest moment in order to show that the Poles are not playing Germany's game.