SILESIA TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1921, Page 2

SILESIA TROUBLE

CABLE NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. AN ARMISTICE. COPENHAGEN, May 15 1 The Polish commander in Silesia has issued a proclamation that the liiterAllied authorities have fixed a preliminary demarcation line. Fighting has been suspended during negotiations for an armistice. This gives general satisfaction. • GERMAN NOTE TO FRANCE. 9 LONDON, May 16 Berlin messages report that Germany’s reply to M. Briand’s Silesian Note has been handed to France. It declares the trouble is due to Korfanty’s organ “Kreuz Zeitung” publishing a false report that the Allies had decided to hand over most of Upper Silesia to Germany. It says its publication was intended as a signal for a Polish insurrection. The German Note emphasises the seriousness of Gl9 situation, and says that Korfanty is completely master of the position, as the Inter-Allied Commission has at its disposal no troops in the greater portion of Upper Silesia. The Note denies the serious allegations contained ih the French Note, which are declared to be absolutely without foundation. LLOYD GEORGE PLEASES GERMANS. LONDON, May 16. The Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Chronicle” says: “Long reports of Mr Lloyd,George’s speech have sent the Germans away for the Whitsuntide holidays in an amicable inoOd. Everybody is now discussing whether this speech gives Germany freedom of military action. The Conservative newspapers rejoice over the widely different opinions between London and Paris, and are inclined to believe that Lloyd George’s speech allows the Germans freedom of action. -

The Socialists insist ou the necessity of caution.

FEELING IN POLAND. LONDON, May 16. The Warsaw correspondent of the “Times” -reports: ‘Air Lloyd George’s siK'ceh on Silesia same like a bomb shell. Its sneers, its abuse, and its throats are like a red rag to a bull to the insurrectionists, and the Polish Government. Though it approved of Ivorf mtz’s action, the Polish Government lias been at every point endeavouring to restore a situation acceptable to the Allies. Korfantz is issuing a new currency in the occupied areas, where the food is short, owin’; to hopeless railway dislocation.

GERMAN PREMIER SPEAKS. LONDON, May 16 The German Premier Wirth, Interviewed by the Centre Party organ “Germania,” said: “Germany’s acceptance of the Allies’ ultimatum was entirely a matter of words. The 'Government intended honestly to fulfil all the conditions, including disarmament. The Chancellor also expressed his thanks to the ‘brave Allied soldiers who died in Silesia for the maintenance of European justice.’ ”

FRENCH FEELING ROUSED. LONDON, May 16. Air Alartin Donohoe, the “Daily Chronicle’s” correspondent, writing from Paris, states: “Air Lloyd George’s speech on Silesia was presumably intended as an admonition to the Poles. It was unhappily interpreted as a direct incentive to the Germans to resort to armed intervention in Silesia. AI. Briand, French Premier, is consequently angry, and the French people are equally angry. As Air Lloyd George addressed a solemn warning to the Poles, AI. Briand lias retaliated with a solemn warning to Germany to keep her troops out of Silesia, or otherwise take the consequences.

“1 never remember AI. Briand in such an angry mood as during our interview on Saturday,” says Mr Donohoe. “He was outspoken and vehement to a degree. Smiting the desk with his fist, he entered the strongest protest against the biassed and false reports that the French Government had failed in its duty to Silesia.” Air Donohoe says that a British Note reached Paris on Friday, which hinted that French officials secretly were favouring Korfantz and the French Government was credited in it with a desire to gratify Polish ambition by facilitating possession of the whole mining area of Upper Silesia. A French reply was sent to this on Saturday. Exception was taken therein to the greater part of the British statement. The French reply says that individual Poles may be responsible for events, but not the Polish Government. Neither France nor French officials had secretly encouraged the policy of “un fait accompli” in Silesia. Air Donohoe adds: “If the Germans intervene in Silesia, the French troops on the Rhine will immediately move forwafd. As a preliminary, they will occupy the whole Ruhr region.

ENGLISH PRESS COAIAIENTS. . LONDON, May 16 ' The “Observer’s” lobbyist writes:— “The danger which the British Government was of opinion would result from an Anglo-French break is now less formidable than the actual mischief already caused by France’s determination to ruin Germany at any cost.” The correspondent adds: “Ml' Lloyd George’s patience with France has been admirable, hut the time for patience has passed. The “Sunday-Times” considers the attitude of the French Foreign Office towards England as scandalous. The Allies must definitely fix Poland’s frontiers.

AIOVEMENT OF TROOPS. BERLIN, May 16 It- is reported the Allied troops have been withdrawn to the Gleiwitz-Oppel line. Polish regulars are now concentrated on the Prussian frontier.