VERSAILLES TREATY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 201, 20 May 1921, Page 5

VERSAILLES TREATY

A DOCUMENT OF INFINITE MOMENT

BRITISH PREMIER ON PROBLEM OF SILESIA

NEED FOR UNITY AMONG ALLIES

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

(Rec. May 19, 7.50 p.m.)

London, Alay 18.

Air. Lloyd George, in a statement to the Press, adhered to his declaration in the House of Common's on the subject of Upper Silesia. He declared that the almost unanimous approval of the American, Italian, and British Press showed that the great nations which, stood beside France in the West meant to interpret the Treaty of Versailles fairly.

He warned the French Press that the habit ’of treating every expression of Allied opinion which did not coincide with their own. as impertinence, was fraught with mischief, and such attitude, if persisted in, would be fatal to any entente. “The world’s course in coming years,” ho said, "cannot be forecasted. The mists ahoad are unusually dense, and much will depend upon the Allies holding together, apart from treaty obligations. Unforeseen events must, determine future groupings of the nations, and the future of the world, especially Europe, will bo determined by old or new friendships. Hence tho Treaty of Versailles is a document of infinite moment, especially to the Entente nations, binding us together when there is so much to divide us. Those who treat its provisions as if they wore tho sport of passion and prejudice may not have to live long to regret their hotheadedness. Tire British people will shirk no part of their responsibilities under the Treaty. "There are temporary difficulties which make it difficult to spare troops, but I confidently anticipate that these will be over soon, and I would call attention to the fact that at the recent, conference we intimated our readiness, if Germany refused tho Allied terms, to place the British Fleet at the disposal of the Allies,

"The British Government was anxious to have the division of Upper Silesia settled at the London Conference. All tho facts regarding the plebiscite were known, but our Allies were not ready to proceed with tho discussion. We will abide faithfully by tho decision of a. majority of the Powers who have, a voice under the Treaty in defining Silesian boundaries, whatever their verdict. We fully accept the plebiscite as an expression of the wishes of the people of Silesia. . „ , ™ "But having entered the Great oar and sustained gigantic losses in defence of an old treaty, to which this country was a party, Britain cannot consent to stand by while tho Treaty her representatives signed less than two years ago is trampled upon."—Reuter. [Referring in tho House of Commons to the Silesian problem, Mr. Lloyd George said that the action of Korfantz was in complete defiance of the Versailles Treaty. Poland, above all lands, should respect every comma of the Treaty. When Germany was helpless through the Allies’ action, Poland said that she would fight even against the Treaty. Either the Allies ought to insist on the Treaty being respected, or allow Germany to do so. The Allies must stand for fair play. The result of the plebiscite was something like six to four in favour of the German claims. Unless the situation were dealt with with stern justice, it would be fatal to the peace of Europe, and if that peace were disturbed he could not say what would happen to the world. Ho would go so far as to say that he was frightened of what would happen unless confidence was restored.] FRENCH PRESS CALMER INCIDENT REGARDED AS CLOSED. London, May 18. Reuter’s corespondent at Paris states that the calmer tone of the French .Press over the Upper Silesia controversy is more manifest to-day, and is accentuated by the satisfaction over Germany’s payment of the reparations, which is welcomed as the first evidence of Germany’s good faith since the armistice. The correctness of Germany’s attitude in not seeking to profit by the AngloFrench differences is recognised by the papers. They even declare that the incident may be regarded as closed, stating that the misunderstandings between M. Briand and Mr. Lloyd George have been largely removed as the result of telephonic communications between Paris and London—Reuter. THE INSURGENT LEADER WILLING TO ACCEPT SUPREME COUNCIL’S VERDICT. London, May 18. Advices from-Warsaw state that Korfantz, after a long discussion with other Polish leaders, informed the Inter-Allied Control Commission that he intended to disarm the majority of the Polish insurgents, and concentrate others in the Pless sector. He urged the Allies to distribute troops on tho present Polish line as a guarantee that the Germans will not invade industrial districts. The Polish chief Rosanski, commanding the Rimnik sector, refuses to accept Korfantz’s arrangements. Korfantz had previously replied to Mr. Lloyd George’s castigation, stating that the Poles had only taken up arms in defence of justice, and were willing to accept the Supreme Council’s just verdict, but would never submit to an arbitrary interpretation of the plebiscite figures. He would destroy every factory rather than bow to the yoke of tho Gorman capitalists. He warned Air. Lloyd George not to use his power to 6 oppress a people fighting for freedom.—"Timos.”

CGI? RESPONDENTS ARRESTED. (Rec. May 19, 11.30 p.m.)

Berlin, May 18. Silesian insurgents arrested in a tramcar Mr. Phillips Price, correspondent of the "Daily Herald,” and Mr. Fritz A T oight, rcipresqid.ing the "Manchester Guardian.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. INSURRECTION DISAVOWED STATEMENT BY POLISH MINISTER (Rec. May 19, 11.30 p.m.) Paris, May 18. The Polish Minister has informed the Ambassadors’ Council that his Government absolutely disavows the insurrection. Ho says that it took all possible measures to prevent communication between Poland and the plebiscite territories, and exercised every influence to restore calm. The Polish Government thinks it desirable that Germany should observe a similar attitude, the troubles being- due to'German statements. —Aus.N.Z. Cable Aswn.

NOT CONCERNED UNITED STATES ATTITUDE. . New York, May 18. Tho United Press Agency nt Washington learns that Mr. Hughes (Secretary of State) plainly informed Prince Lubomirski, tho Polish Ambassador, that th* United States was not concerned in.

the Upper Silesian question.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aten. London, Alay 18. Reuter’s correspondent at Paris states that Washington received a Polish appeal for support in Upper Silesia, and unofficially states that the United States will decline to interfere, as she regards the Silesian question as essentially an European one. —Router. DEMAND FOR COMPENSATION DOSS OF ITALIAN SOLDIERS. (Rec. May 19, 8.50 p.m.) Rome, Mav 18. Italy is demanding from Poland seven million lire as compensation for the loss of soldiers killed in the recent fighting. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.