SILESIAN CRISIS

Otago Witness, Issue 3519, 23 August 1921, Page 17

SILESIAN CRISIS

RESENTED IN POLAND. WARSAW. August 14. The Upper Silesian decision was not warmly received in Poland. A specially assembled Cabinet decided to send a Not* to the Allies, declaring that reference of the problem to the League of Nations will be to no purpose. It will onlv prolong the conditions of uncertainty in Upper Silesia, and is calculated to cause Poland irreparable harm. LEAGUE OF NATIONS MEETING. LONDON, August 14. Advices from Paris state that Geneva is now foreshadowed as the meeting place of the League of Nations on August 22, to deal with the Silesian difficulty. Germany and Poland have been invited to send one representative each. August 15. The League of Nations has invited Poland to send a delegate during the consideration of the Silesian problem. Germany will be invited to become a temporary member of the League of Nations, also to send a representative. MR LLOYD GEORGE’S STATEMENT. LONDON, August 16. Mr Lloyd George's statement m the House of Common,-: on the work of the Supreme Council conveyed little fresh information. He said that on the basis of population and on the principle of one man one vote, the disputed area m Silesia should go to Germany. The British and Italian experts agreed in that view. The French took another view. It was clear that unanimity was impossible, and the problem was therefore referred to tho League of Nations’ arbitrament. All were pledged to accept- its decision. Owing to delay, it might be necessary to send reinforcements to prevent a repetition of the disturbances which threatened the peace of Europe. Another question discussed was the sanctions under the Peace Treaty. There was a general feeling that the time had come for a gradual reduction of the military burdens imposed on Germany. At the conclusion of the meeting the spirit of the alliance was as strong as ever, lie said that he quite understood the nervousness of France. Her first real security was the disarmament of Germany, hut it was impossible for any country to manufai turn large supplies of armaments secretly. 'The fact was bound to come out. In the dilemma over Asia Alinor there were only two alternatives—firstly, to compel the Turks and the Greeks to agree, which was impracticable; secondly, to leave them to light it out. He hoped, however, in the event of a Greek victory, that Greek statesmanship would not commit the unpardonable error of carrying victory too far. Continuing, Air Lloyd George said that if anyone wanted to know what the war meant the Supreme Council’s meeting would teach them that. The Washington Conference did not come an hour too soon. All- Asquith said he regarded the statement as the most satisfactory since tii9 armistice. He was glad to think that the civilised nations would collectively, and he hoped unanimously, enter uuon a policy of disarmament. He agreed that there was nothing to do but to leave the Turks and Greeks to fight it out, although it was a scandal to civilisation. Ho thought the Silesian problem might have been relegated to the League sooner, and with a better general effect. ROLISH TNSURGENTS. BERLIN. August 16. A strong column of Polish rebels attempted to penetrate Beuthen for the purpose of making an Anti-British demonstration. They wrecked German shops and houses in the suburbs before they came into conflict with the Allied police. A severe fight then followed, resulting in many Polish casualties. August 17. A violent fight occurred between the Germans and the Poles in the frontier villages of Sternaiitz and Kosterlitz. The former, using grenades, drove the Poles over the frontier. Twentv-four Poles were killed. PROSPECTS OF RECONCILIATION. BERLIN, August 18. Reports from Kaowitz state that there are prospects of a reconciliation between the contending parties in Upper Silesia. This is indicated by the result of a ooni ference of leading German industrialists with representatives of the Polish parties, at which it is believed an agreement was reached to co operate in the interests of Nilesia. ZELItIOWSKI S ARMY . LONDON, August 18. A message from Warsaw states that unconcealed contempt was displayed in the Yilna Assembly’s reception of the League of Nations’ request for the transformation of General Zeligowski’s artnv into a militia not exceeding 5000 in number, and for the I dismissal of outsiders from civil and mili-

tary posts. On the other hand the Assembly thanked Zeligovrski for delivering the city, and adopted a resolution declaring that his army was the city’s sole defence, as the League of Nations was unable to guarantee its security. STATEMENT BY M. BRIAND. PARIS, August 18. M. Briand, interviewed, stated that those who criticised the Supreme Council’s decisions forgot or ignored the fact that if Great Britain, Italy, and Japan expressed an opinion diametrically opposed to that of Franco it would mean the bankrupt-;;- oi the Supreme Council. Germany was only awaiting such a signal in order to occupy Upper Silesia, which she could «o according to the Peace Treaty. We avoided much trouble,” he said, ny referring the question to the League of Nations. It will be dealt with much quicked than people think.” GERM AN POLISH CONFERENCE. | LONDON, August 18. Telegrams from ivattowitz state that the German-Polish industrial leaders and also a number of members of the Reichstag, representing all parties, and M. Skoiny (successor to M. Korfanty as Polish Plebiscite Commissioner), decided to issue identical ia-tes to the population of Upper Silesia, exhorting them t. : peaceful cooperation. also to fi rm German Polish communities to rid in tee maintenance of order.