PLEBISCITE IN SILESIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1921, Page 5

PLEBISCITE IN SILESIA.

A PRO-GERMAN MAJORITY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Berlin, March 21. The latest figures of the plebiscite in Upper Silesia show 700,000 votes in favor of adhesion to and 480,000 in favor of Poland.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Received March 22, 9.40 p.m. London, March 22. The latest German Silesian figures give a pro-German majority of 253,000, but real significance attaches to the voting of various areas in which the figures are not yet analysed. The indications are that important industrial areas were solidly pro-German.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

The fate of two millions of people and the ownership of some of the richest iron and coal mines in Europe are dependent upon the result of the plebiscite in Upper Silesia. Every weapon of political agitation, from persuasion to Intimidation, has been exploited by Germans and Poles for months past. The leader of the Polish cause, K<>rfanty, who fortified quarters in the town of Beuthen has directed a marvellous organisation of propaganda. To frighten the 300,000 out-voters whom Germany mobilised to swamp the ballots, Korfanty encouraged the circulation of stories of terrorism and threats of massacres. In a recent interview with a London Press correspondent, Korfanty expressed confidence in the success in the coming plebiscite. ‘T am certain,” he said, “that we shall have an 80 per cent majority, making up in the country what we lose in toyvns through the fact that the majority of the officials and skilled workmen are German. I am confident that we can ensure an adequate Polish administration, beginning from the day the results are made known, and I have questioned all officials in the post, railway, and other services as to whether they are prepared to carry on. Even if the plebiscite proves disappointing to me, Germany will gain nothing, for the Poles will refuse to work in €lie coal mines any longer. Besides, as I have said, there will be massacres.”