VERSAILLES TREATY

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 25, 24 October 1921, Page 5

VERSAILLES TREATY

DIFFICULTIES OF SECURING EXECUTION THE SILESIAN QUESTION By TelecraDh —Press Aeeociation —Oopyrleht (Rec. October 23, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, October 21. Al. Briand, answering an interpellation in tho Chamber of Deputies, demanded a large vote of confidence. He would not go to Washington unless the majority was largo enough to dissipate doubt regarding France's desire to practise a policy of peace. It might be easy enough to secure the execution of the Versailles Treaty if Germany and France were face to face alone, but there was Germany on one side and tho Allies on the other. On tho question of Silesia, Europe was on the frontier- of a new war. Al. Briand read evidence of the destruction of Germany's war material and recent disarmament. He paid a tribute to Herr Wirth, tho Chancellor, who was up against industrial magnates, who were organising bankruptcy in the hope of preventing Germany executing the financial clauses of the Treaty. The debate was adjourned till Tuesday.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE ALLIeFdECISION GERMAN PRESS OPINIONS. Berlin, October 21. Commenting on tho Upper Silesian decision, the newspaper “Vorwaerts” says it believes the result will be that the whole zinc production of tho region concerned will fall to Poland, as well as 85 per cent, of the coal, 70 per cent, of tho steel, and 65 per cent, of the iron production. Germany will thus lose valuable taxation resources. The Entente must recognise that tho Treaty requires further revision. The “Freiheit” resignedly accepts the situation, and urges negotiations with Poland with a view to arranging favourable economic conditions. The Pan-German paper “Deutsche Zeitung” demands the peremptory rejection of the decision. —Reuter. WIRTH GOVERNMENT RESIGNS (Rec. October 23, 5.5 p.m.) Berlin, October 22. The Wirth Government has resigned.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STATEMENT BUHERR WIRTH DID UTMOST TO FULFIL TREATY OBLIGATIONS. (Rec. October 24, 0.50 a.m.) Berlin, October 23. In the course of a letter to the President submitting his resignation, Herr Wirth maintains that ho has done his utmost to fulfil the Treaty obligations. It might have been expected that, the occupation of the Ruhr, district would have ceased, just as a solution of the Silesian question should have been found. Instead of that, not only have extensive tracts of Upper Silesia, but flourishing German towns, a great portion of the mineral wealth,, four-fifths of the factories, besides i large section of German population, aro to be torn from the German homeland. Herr AVirth is convinced that tho possibilities of the fulfilment of the obligations have been materially reduced thereby, and a new situation has arisen, therefore he 'has rosi gned.—Reuter. THE MARK FALLS AGAIN (Rec. October 23, 5.5 p.m.) Berlin, October 21. Tho Berlin exchange Tate has reached 610 marks to'tho pound.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.