ATTITUDE OF FRANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1921, Page 5

ATTITUDE OF FRANCE.

HOSTILITY TOWARDS GERMANS.

DIVISION OF SILESIA FAVORED.

Received May Id, 8 p.m.

Paris, May 15. M. Briand made a statement to foreign journalists regarding the Upper Silesia question. He declared France had done her duty, and protested against false reports to the contrary. Germans insulted and arrested French offices, a proceeding which was not to be tolerated. Germany would provoke most serious results if she interfered in Silesia, as none of the Allies had authorised her troops to enter there. M. Briand admitted that English, French and Italian delegates on the in-ter-AUied Commission were at variance. France did not say the whole of Upper Silesia should belong to Poland, but the territory diould be divided on the basis of the Treaty of Versailles, and the plebiscite result, in conformity w.th justice. He suggested the inter-Allied Commission should try to find a common proposition to lay before the Supreme Council. Mr. Lloyd George interpreted the situation from his own point of view, but the British Premier could not take the initiative alone in authorising German troops to advance in Upper Silesia,

M. Briand added that if Poland were definitely assured that Silesia would be partitioned on a basis of communes, in accordance with the plebiscite figures, calm could be restored. If, on the contrary, the Allies wished to use Upper Silesia as quid pro quo for their private purposes, Poland would revolt. He (regretted that the controversy had arisen, because it led Germany to be lieve the Allies were divided and thus it likely to lead her into dangerous paths.—Reuter Service.

FIGHTING SUSPENDED.

ORDER OF REBEL COMMANDER.

Received May 16, 11.10 p.m. Copenhagen, May 15. The rebel commander in Silesia has issued a proclamation declaring that the inter-Allied authorities having fixed a preliminary demarcation line, the fighting is suspended during the negotiations. The armistice gives general satis-faction.—-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THREAT OF CIVIL WAR.

GERMAN TROOPS MASSING.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright. London, May 13. The Daily Chronicle correspondent in Upper Silesia says that if anything can phock the conscience of Europe the state of this province should. It is true the {Polish insurgents halted at the Korfantz tee, but trained and armed German /volunteers are massing on the other side of the line, and a relentless civil !War is a dire possibility. British officers are shamed by the fact khat they cannot keep their promisee to the districts where they have been quartered. They have given pledges to the towns that Britain would protect them Wgainst any assailants. The rebels have severed communication with the outride Wrorid, upon which the industrial districts depend. The miners are not reWrring wagfes, and Germany will not •end money, as she knows it would be seized by the rebels. Food is also failing. Meanwhile the rebel leaders have •eized the castles of the Silesian nobility and are living there in luxury.

AMERICA STANDS ALOOF.

Washington, May 15. In responsible quarters it is said that the United States will not participate in the deliberations concerning the Silesian boundary settlement, which is regarded ss • purely European matter. Officials are interested in the clash of opinions between Mr. Lloyd George and M. Briand. The American position apparently inclines towards the British viewpoint, favoring a territorial eettlement