SILESIAN DISPUTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18324, 15 August 1921, Page 5

SILESIAN DISPUTE

SUPREME COUNCIL MEETING. THE ATMOSPHERE CLEARER LEAGUE OF NATIONS TO DECIDE. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, PARIS, August 12. Tho French Cabinet, under M. Millorand’s presidency, assembled prior to the meeting of tho Supreme Council, and unanuimously approved of M. Briand’s attitude. When the Supreme Council met later, after a brief sitting, a communique was issued stating that, as Great Britain, Italy, and Japan are opposed to the French proposals, all agreed to refer the problem to the League of Mations. It is unofficially reported that M. Briand suggested that the question be referred to America, but Mr Lloyd George proposed its reference to the League of Nations, and the vote for this was unanimous.

The Supreme Council decided that a Commision of three should return to Oppeln; also to appeal to Germany and Boland to preserve order. Mr Lloyd George’s last words as he was leaving for London, were : “I knew well that everything would be all right.” M. Briand smilingly replied : “How could it be otherwise?”

Mr Lloyd George said, with reference to the League of Nations, that there was no disagreement between Great Britain and France, nor any reflection on the French Government or its experts. It was important to say that Japan and Italy took the same line as Great Britain. The difficulties were not due to the problem itself, but to the excited state of public opinion; therefore it was right to seek another tribunal. Although a majority of the Supreme Council took one view, and France was alone in taking the other. Great Britain would accept the league’s decision without demur, and, if necessary, strengthen the Allied forces in Silesia. Great Britain would make a contribution towards this on the same scale as any other Power. M. Briand said that France would accept the league’s decision without demur, and he suggested that jurists should draft the terms of reference to the league. Signor .Bonomi stated that Italy was willing to send reinforcements pending the league’s decision. The newspapers unanimously approve of France’s attitude. They declare that if the disagreement with regard to Upper Silesia continues it will not be France’s fault. The Petit Journal points out that M. Briand informed the British delegation that the last possible concession J ranee could make was Signor Sforza’s suggested frontier line. France had the right to demand proof of Great Britain’s friend ship. Great Britain’s line gave Germany all the industrial triangle, while the concession to Poland was exclusively agricultural.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

FRENCH PRESS CRITICISM. PARIS, August 12. The Liberte says that the council’s decision means avoiding trouble. It is no; a settlement of the thorniest international question. Le Temps says that one could under? stand reference of the subject to United States arbitration, but not to the League of Nations, to which America does no belong.— A. and N.Z. Cable.

LEAGUE ACTING AS ARBITRATOR. FINAL DECISION WITH COUNCIL. PARIS, August 12. (Received Aug. 14, at 5.5 p.m.) Under the Versailles Treaty the fixation of frontiers rests with the Allies. I order not to injure the treaty’s work inthe Supreme Council’s resolution relating to Upper Silesia expressly makes it cl. that the council is only inviting the league to make recommendations. There is no question of the league acting as abitrator, the decision remaining with the council.