THE UPPER SILESIAN PROBLEM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18324, 15 August 1921, Page 4

THE UPPER SILESIAN PROBLEM.

Thb Supreme Council of the Allies has found itself baffled after all by the Upper Silesian problem. The reports of the deliberations of the Council indicate that the endeavours to reconcile the views represented by Great Britain and France respectively as to a partition of the territory affected by the plebiscite were not successful. The experts no doubt did their utmost to frame such recommendations as might meet the situation as fairly as possible, but their report failed to secure acceptance. Apparently it ran counter in certain more or less important respects to the French scheme of partition, and M. Briand would have none of it. The impression is conveyed that it is the persistence of the effort of the French Government to secure the adoption of its own proposal that has prevented the settlement of the question by the Supreme Council. While Mr Lloyd George has been firm in declining to fall in with the French proposals, it is evident that he has done so with the support of the majority of the Governments represented on the Council. If the Council has not solved this obstinate problem it has, however, at least achieved something in its decision to pass it on to the League of Nations for consideration. This important development constitutes a welcome alternative to the impasse that seemed otherwise

to be inevitable, and the sequel will be watched with interest. The Supreme Council has not precisely turned i„s responsibilities over to the League. The decision remains with it, but it has invited the League to make recommendations for its guidance upon the Upper Silesian question. If this course is to be profitable, it is manifestly desirable that the Council should be willing to accept the League's advice when it is tendered. Reassurance on this point is afforded in the circumstance that both M. Briand and Mr Lloyd George have declared that their respective Governments will accept the Leagae's recommendations without demur. This is more likely in the sequel to cause a pang to France than to Great Britain. In the meantime the prestige of the League is increased by the entrustment to it of this delicate and important commission. The step is one which removes the immediate tension of an awkward situation which was attended with possibilities of a rupture between France and Great Britain. Moreover, it should ensure the reference of the question of the adjustment of boundaries in Upper Silesia to a disinterested tribunal. The compromise at which the Su-~eme Council of the Allies has arrived is apparently regarded with mixed feelings in Berlin. It is there construed as an indication that the French policy of procrastination has prevailed. Mr Lloyd George is credited with having protested strongly in the Paris discussions against further procrastination, and it may be that for

.J , .„ „„ „ u< , w lv>i the time being M. Briand may congratulate himself on having averted the adoption v of measures in Upper Silesia which would be unacceptable to his Government. But in the long run the outcome may not be substantially different.