SILESIAN PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 272, 11 August 1921, Page 5

SILESIAN PROBLEM

CONSIDERED BY SUPREME COUNCIL MR. LLOYD GEORGE’S VIEWS DANGER OF FRANCE’S PROPOSED COURSE OF ACTION By Telegraph—Preu* Association— Copyright Paris, August 9. General Allen, the American Commandant on tho Rhine, attended the Supreme Council, when tho various Allied military experts unfolded their views on the question of security of the troops in Silesia, after- which Mr. Lloyd George explained his views on the problem generally, declaring it the most menacing ever placed before the Council. Britain and Italy held similar views, hut' France differed. Whilst wishing io accommodate the existing differences, he was convinced a settlement must not be made at the expense of a majority of the population and the Powers concerned. Any attempt on the basis of the plebiscite vote to manoeuvre German population out of Silesia would recoil upon its authors, and Britain would never support such a settlement. Mr. Lloyd George suggested that fresh instructions should be given the experts to discn=s the matter on the following linns—.pirst.lv, one vote one value, as he was not prepared to accept the argument that the peasant vote should <> utwe ’. K J l the artisan vote; secondly, that the industrial area, which was German by two to one, should go to Germany; thirdly, that contiguous areas should anal to show which communes were vlta " y connected with the industry areas. lie appreciated the weight attached by Franco to the consideration of her security The Council should give carefu thought to the French view Hethou„ht that France would only add to her dangers. and not to her security, in following her proposed course in Silesia. In the last war Franco hod just cat ?, and he would always sunport her in the justice of her cause. The Allies came tn France’s aid when she was unjus y oppressed, but the British Empire was not going to he dragged into new wars caused bv oppression or the use of sn nerior force’in the hour of triumph. ’Uhat would be an abuse of W»tic p . France had nothing, to fear if she used moderation and equity. General Lerond. expounding he French expert’s view, said the situation was grave, and they must, not lose Right of the fact that the Allied contingents were in danger, owing to the presence o camouflaged German organisations. lhe situation demanded a ■nromnt solution. Pir Harold Stuart. British High Commissioner. denied that danger was imminent, but agreed that the presence of German organisations would be a danger. If fh-v wore attacked bv the Poles, then the Allied contingent would be insufficient to den* with the situation. General JUartnes (Italy) echoed Sir Harold Stuart’s views.—Aus.-N.Z.' Cable Assn. ' FRFN f H PR’TO WES FOR QUICK SOLUTION MATTER. COMPARED WITH ANGLO-FRENCH FRIENDSHIP.’’ (Rec. August 10, 9.30 p.m.) London, August 9. M. Briand, replying to Mr. Lloyd George, said France had no ulterior motives in her designs regarding tho division of Upper Silesia. She only desired to carry out the Versailles Treaty fairly, but thought that in matters whero there was doubt the victors ought to have tho benefit. The Poles had preserved their language for centuries. They had had the courage to vote in great numbers for liberation. He thought they ought to be emancipated from Germany, with a provision that in cases of doubt moral consideration should be taken into account. Upper Silesia was a small matter compared with the maintenance of tho Anglo-French friendship. Ho was hopeful that a quick solution would be found. Signor Bonomi said the question was purely economic, depending on whether the industrial area was united or not. The Council will resume on Wednesday. Paris reports state that everyone in the city is optimistic that a settlement will be reached during the week—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. ENGLISH PRESS OPINIONS BRITAIN SOLICITOUS FOR FRENCH INTERESTS. (Rec. August 10, 8.30 p.m.) London, August 9. The “Daily Telegraph” says: "Upper Silesia has been poisoning our diplomacy too long. Already it has inflicted ruinous damage to the economy ot Central Europe. It is true a revival of industry will never bo possible in Silesia wlnlo its fate is undecided, as it has been since the Treaty of Versailles. Upper Silesia will produce nothing for Europe until its political .destiny is decided. The “Da'ly Chronicle" says Mr. Lloyd George made a most effective Puente, tion of the British case. If the full text could reach the ears of tho I'rcnch public as delivered it would go far to dispel any illusion that Mr. Lloyd George and tho British nation are not deeply solicitous for the highest Irench "Daily News” says: “To secure success it is essential that the Allied experts should report promptly and the Council act promptly. If Allied unanimity was made clear the decision won d bo enforced without much difficulty, lhe danger of catastrophe, which was nearly caused bv the unhappy combination of procrastination and self-seeking,„ seems to have been narrowly averted. -Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

GERMAN VIEW OF THE POSITION

IMPORTANCE OF COUNCIL’S DECISION. (Rec. 'August 10, 9-30 p.m.) London, August 10. The "Morning Post’s” Bc-Hin correspondent states that Herr 1 heodor Wo Ift discusses Ith o Paris situation inhe “Tigeblatl.” He says: "the English know what is at stake. The programme is amply laden. Will it be forgotten that the future shaping of all problems will be affected by the- decision regarding Upper Silesia? That province one of those sensitive snots whose upheavals are felt at a distance. It IS a French myth that the industrial district of Upper Silesia will he the German workshop in future wars but it is (rue that tho Fates have groat spinning works there.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.