Silesian Question.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1921, Page 3

Silesian Question.

CABLE NEWS.

[BY TELEGRAM—PER FRESH ASSOCIATION PLEA FOR POLAND. LONDON, August 10. At the Allied Supreme Council, M. Briand, replying to Mr Lloyd George said that France had no ulterior motives in her designs regarding the division of Upper Silesia. She only desired to carry out the Versailles Treaty fairly, but she thought that in those matters where there was a doubt, the victors ought to have th ( > benefits of it. The Poles had preserved their language for centuries. They bad ha.l the° courage to vote in great numbers for their liberation. He thought that they ought to be emancipated from Germany, with a provision that, in the cases. of doubt, moral, considerations should he taken into account: Upper Silesia, he said, was a small mattercompared with the maintenance of U'c Anglo-Frenlrh friendship. He was hopeful of a quick solution being found. M. “Bonorni said tbe question was purely an economic one, depending or. whether the industrial area was united or. not. The Allied Council resumes on Wednesday. Paris reports show that everyone in the city is optimistic that a settlement, will be reached during the week. The London “Daily Telegraph” says: Upper Silesia has been poisoning our diplomacy too long. Already it- has in- , flicted ruinous damage to the eco- I nomy of Central Europe, it is true . that a revival of industry will never be possible in Silesia while ,ts fatremains undecided, as it has been -once the Treaty of Versailles. Upper Silesia will produce nothing for Europe until its political destiny is decided. The “Daily Chronicle” says: Mr Lloyd George made a most effective presentation of the British ease. Tf j the full text could reach the enrs of j ifche French public, a's delivered, ii t would go far to dispel any illusion ( that Mr Lloyd George and the Bri- i tish nation were not deeply >ohcitous j for the highest French interests. The “Daily Newts” (Liberal) says: : To secure success f it is essential that | the Allied experts should report j promptly, and the Council art prompt ■ ( jy. Tf Allied unanimity made a clear , decision, it could be enforced without much difficulty. The danger of catastrophe, which was nearly cause! by unhappy combination, and proems filiation, and self-seeking, seems to have been narrowly averted. GERMAN’S VIEW. LONDON, August 10. The “Morning Post’s” Berlin correspondent states: Herr Theodore Wolff discusses the Paris situation in the Tageblatt. He says: “The Kngiish know what is at stake. The pro- ( gramme is amply laden. Will it be f forgotten that the future shaping of { all problems will he affected ov the ( decision regarding Upper silerin. That province is one of those sensitive spots t whose upheavals are felt at a dis- ( tance. It is a French myth that the industrial district of Upper Silesia would be a- German workshop in future wars, hut it is true that the fates have great spinning works there.” • THE KING’S REPLY. (Received This Day at 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, August 10. After the close of the Imperial Conference, the Prime Ministers in present- |j. ing the report, forwarded an addin'-:-to the King. His Majesty to-day replied as fob K lows: “With mud) satisfaction ] have re- w ceived from members of the Confer- t( enc-e, on the c lose of their labours, , 1( an ’address assuring ine of 'their loyal devotion to myself and the Throne. , n “Still more was 1 gratified at their i, expressed conviction that the Crown is an important link uniting together in * cohesion and strength the com- j ponent parts of our great Empire. j- (| “I experienced ineffaceable proofs of these sentiments in the enthu- ( | siastic and touching receptions invariably given me, on several occasions of my visits to different porti-e of the world, where the British tin ■ flies. “Those proofs have been renewed in n the remarkable' demonstrations of welcome and goodwill towards the Prince of Wales in the Dominion's and Colonies which he visited in the last three years. . I | | “Furthermore where ( .ould one find such ample testimony of their com- • mon allegiance to the Empire and it" . Sovereign, than in their noble selfsacrifice during the four and a half ‘ years of the world war. “I have followed with keen interest ( j the deliberations of the Conference. ' ' Tliese meetings afford an opportunifv for the exchange of views between .. the Ministers of the great communities they represent upon many prob- , lenis affecting the common interest . of the British peoples, essential to IIU the unity and well-being of the Em- 1111 pire and general peace of the world.” “Every facility must he given for such periodical meetings, and to ensure this, we look confidently to men of science and research to discover improved means for inter-communica-tion between all parts of the Uriti '■ Commonwealth. 1 know the work of the Conference lias j m been strenuous, entailing severe demands, mental and physical, on all “ concerned, but their time, has been <Ol well spent in advancing further ohm r 11 . the road of progress and develop- 1111 col ment. T heartily thank D'c" 1 on my behalf, and the Queen’s, for tlioi• address. 11,1 We wish Godspeed to I hose leaving < n England and a safe, happy return to °‘‘ their respective homes and families. 'I 11 More than ever do we follow with 1)11 feelings of affection, the welfare of " ( our people in their homes across the 1 sea.” ,rK GEORGE R.l th en