SILESIA TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1921, Page 3

SILESIA TROUBLE

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

FRENCH DEMAND ENGLISH MOVE. LONDON, May 24 The London “Morning Post’s” Paris correspondent states: “The French newspapers insist that the outstanding feature of the day’s news is that Germany lias resumed war. The French papers call on Mr Lloyd George to undo tile mischief of his two incendiary speeches.

Resentment is caused by the fact that 30,000 German Reichswehr have now entered Silesia, with whom 14,00) Allied troops there cannot cope.

BIG GERMAN ASSAULT. POLES FORCED BACK. / LONDON, May 21. According to Reuter’s correspondent in Sosnowice, there is now fighting m Upper Silesia, organised, apparently"*, on a large scale. The correspondent, who is quoting French sources of information says: “There is a German offensive developing. It is doing so in three directions. One is an attack near the Oder River. It had as its objective Grosstein which, as already reported, was occupied after a fierce struggle.

Secondly, a German column, 20,000 strong, with armoured trains, is operating along the Kreuzberg-Rosenberg railway. It is aiming at the industrial region of the Polish frontier. Then, the third German force, is advancing from Ratibor, and has Glenvity as its objective.

The Poles everywhere are resisting the Germans desperately.

GERMANS WARNED. LONDON, May 24

Reuter reports that the French diplomatic circles are excited over the latest occurrences in Silesia where the German armies are advancing. It is understood from Reuter’s Paris correspondent that the German Ambassadors in both Paris and London have been requested to warn their Imperial Government immediately to cease the aggressive Silesian movements, if Allied reprisals are not desired.

BRITISH FORCES IN SILESIA. LONDON, May 24

Mr Austen Chamberlain (Leader of the House) stated that the Government contemplated adding to the British Silesian forces when trains wore available.

M. BRIAND’S VIEWS. PARIS, May 24. The French Chamber was packed to hear a statement by M. Briand on Silesia. He emphasised that France wanted only the loyal execution ol the Pence Treaty and pointed out Poland's historic rights in Upper Silesia. These were unanimously endorsed by the Inter-Allied commission. He attributed the German success at the polls in Silesia partly to the fact that Germans had brought back 180,000 outside voters for the purpose of the plebiscite. In a pointed reference to Mr Lloyd George, M. Briand referred to “the inconveniences attending discussions which are held in market places and are made the object of newspapers politics.” Nevertheless, he said, such methods were not without advantages. He admitted that soldiers had not always the qualifications on which to base a just appreciation of the Treaty, but a decision would be reached in accordance with the experts’ report,. under which justice must prevail. M. Briand expressed confidence in Premier Wirth’s sincerity. He (Briand) intended to follow the policy o: the maintenance of the Entente. If the House disagreed with this, they must choose a successor to him. FRENCH THREAT TO GERMANS. „ SILESIAN CRISIS EASED. LONDON, May 24 A Reuter message from Paris states —According to the Paris papers, M. Briand (French Premier) has handed Dr Mayer (German Ambassador to Paris) a Note declaring that if the German troops in Upper Silesia resume an offensive, then the German Government will be held responsible and U the Allies will decide, in common, the penalties which will be necessary. Dr Mayer has since communicated to France the German Government’s reply, stating that Germany had most strictly ordered the closing of the GermanoSilesian frontier. M. Briand later on declared that the situation in Upper Silesia has materially improved. There was no need he said, to occupy the Ruhr region.