PICTURE OF CHAOS AND TURMOIL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 192, 10 May 1921, Page 5

PICTURE OF CHAOS AND TURMOIL

SILESIAN SITUATION KORFANTZ IN COMPLETE CONTROL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, May 8. The "Times” correspondent at Sosnofrica pictures chaos and turmoil in Silesia. Ho says: The Allies’ authority, backed by ten thousand soldiers, tanks, and artillery, has been set at nought by the insurgents, and our distinguished colonels are forced to parley with beardless pitboys, Korfantz’s commanders, who are ruthlessly expelling the Allies from this country. The insurgent army is a ragged band, including many women, and mostly boys. Fifty thousand are armed, and the discipline is excellent. The older men are acting as police patrols, a system which ie in operation throughout the country. One result is that there is no license or disorder, except exuberant youths, who fire rifles and throw bombs in exultation at fho success of their national cause.

Korfantz controls the whole movement. His principal lieutenant is a young German officer. He has brought industry and the railways to a standstill, closed the shops, stopped publication of the newspapers, and refuses to allow an ounce of coal to be raised until the socalled Korfantz lino is recognised. He is ready to sit tight, backed by Poland’s national opinion, and defy the world. The French beat off the insurgents’ attacks at Kattowitz with heavy losses, but Korfantz holds undisputed sway in the surrounding country. The tanks did grim execution among the Poles, but they do not seem to mind. News from Warsaw indicates that the Government has lost control of the country—" Times." disputeiTterritories

FORCE WIT J- NOT INFLUENCE ALLIES’ DECISIONS. Paris, May 8.

The conference of Ambassadors has proclaimed that recourse to force by the inhabitants of Upper Silesia will not influence the Allies’ decisions as regards allotting tho disputed territories. The latest reports indicate that the insurgent movement has reached its zenith, and there are now signs of abatement, but Korfantz asserts that he will never give up an inch of the newly-acquired territory.—Reuter. Warsaw, May 8.

The Government has prohibited volunteering for service in Silesia, and has appealed to the Allies to hasten a settlement of the question under the Versailles Treaty.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

Berlin, May 8.

Thousands of German volunteers are forming detachments in Upper Silesia. Already they have mot with some success near Ratibor, driving tho Poles across the OdeT.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.,