POLISH CLASH.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1921, Page 5

POLISH CLASH.

FIGHTING CONTINUES.

ITALIAN TROOPS INVOLVED,

ALLIES RESTORING ORDER.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 5, 8 p.m. London, May 5. The Berlin correspondent of the Daily Express says the fighting continues in the south-eastern districts of Upper Silesia. Allied troops have restored order in some towns, but the Polish insurgents control the country districts.

It is announced that the Polish Government has recalled Korfantz, the chief Polish plebiscite commissioner, who has proclaimed himself dictator over Upper Silesia, and announced that the Polish Government was established within the territory bordered by what he called the Korfantz line. French troops, however, bad already forced Korfantz to pull down the Polish flag at his headquarters in Beuthen.

Italian troops suffered serious losses while fighting the insurgents in Pless. Details are not yet known. Polish bands are threatening Gleiwitz on all sides, and efforts to dislodge the Poles from the artillery barracks captured yesterday proved fruitless. German police endeavored to storm the barracks, but the French general in command of the inter-Allied troops refused aid.

Later messages state that in the district of Gross Strelitz a mob of Germans on one side and a mob of Poles on the other surrounded an Italian battalion and severely handled it, but the Italians in Petergratz disarmed a large Polish band. Street fighting continued throughout the night in Hindenburg. The Polish insurgents in Kattowitz, after capturing the town, erected barricades, using carts and barbed wire. It is reported that 85,000 regular Polish troops are being concentrated on the Silesian frontier.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

NEW POLISH LEADER.

WAR ON GERMAN TYRANNY.

THE FIGHTING CONTINUES.

Received May 5, 8.50 p.m. London, May 4. A Warsaw correspondent states that Korfantz has proclaimed himself dictator and leader of the Polish insurgents. He has issued a passionate proclamation urging his followers to continue the fight until the country is freed from German tyranny and oppression. Thousands are flocking to his standard, and it appears that the Allies will have to deal with another Zeligowski or D’Annunzio.

Feeling is running high in the capital. During a street procession the participants shouted, “Down with Lloyd George”, “Long Live France”, and made threatening demonstrations outside the British and Italian Consulates. Allied troops have been ordered to arrest Korfantz and disperse his followers. The proclamation of martial law had little effect. Shooting continues in most of the southern area of Upper Silesia, which is in the possession of the Poles. An Italian major was killed during the fighting in Pless, and two Italian officers were assassinated at Lublinitz, and at Michlowitz insurgents killed the manager of Prussian mines.—Times Service.

SERIOUS MOVEMENT. ALLIES’ IMPARTIAL ATTITUDE. Received May 5, 8.50 p.m. London, May 4. British official circles view the Upper Silesia outbreak as a very serious movement, which is considered to be a determined and systematic attempt to anticipate the decision of the Supreme Council in connection with the recent plebiscite by forcibly seizing the disputed areas. In the House of Commons, Mr. Cecil Harmsworth (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs) announced, in connection with the disturbances in Silesia, that the British and other Allied Governments had adopted a policy of strict impartiality.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REPORTS EXAGGERATED. CALMER REPORT FROM BERLIN. END OF TROUBLE EXPECTED. Received May 6, 1.25 a.m. London, May 4. A Berlin correspondent reports that the fighting and destruction in Selisia has been exaggerated and highly colored by the German authorities. There has been minor destruction and a few collisions between the Allies and insurgents at Beuthen, but the prompt and energetic measures taken by the inter-AHied Commission are calming the situation and no further disturbances are feared

A wireless message from Warsaw states Korfantz has been relieved of office for exceeding his powers. Korfantz appointed Doliva to the military command and the latter ordered the suppression of the German secret military organisation and exhorted the population to exercise tolerance and loyalty to the Allied troops.—Times Service.