GERMANS NERVOUS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 May 1921, Page 5

GERMANS NERVOUS.

FEAR ANOTHER WAR.

FRANCE’S SYMPATHY WITH POLES.

CREATING BUFFER STATE.

Received May 16, 11.10 p.m. London, May 15. Another Supreme Council is necessary to repair the rent in the Entente’s garment. After each successive council the public has been assured there was perfect understanding between the Allies, only to find some troublesome problem left unsolved. At the recent London conference Mr. Lloyd George wished to discuss the Silesian question, but M. Briand refused. French influence has been dominant in Poland since the collapse of the Soviet’s great offensive, and since then diplomacy has been working along the lines of creating a strong buffer State between Russia and Germany. Korfanty’s insurrection, which, it is asserted in some quarters, was engineered in I France, has produced a serious divergence between the Anglo-French policies. There is a feeling of restiveness against Britain being dragged at the heels of French policy, and the impression is growing that a lees close friendship between the two nations is preferable to the risks of serious mischief which may arise from the French determination to ruin Germany entirely on both the east and west. Mr. Lloyd George’s speech has thrown the problem into the limelight, and the French Press is greatly angered, accusing him of imposing a diplomatic fait accompli. The German Press warns the public against any German action in Silesia, fearing the possibility of a FrancoPolish war with Germany. Germans resent the acceptance of Polish domination in Silesia, which would be equivalent to placing a superior civilisation under an inferior one. Moreover, Silesia, it is pointed out, is of even greater economic value than the Ruhr.

“Pertinax”, writing in the Echo de Paris, says: “M. Briand cannot accept an invitation to discuss Silesia with Mr. Lloyd George, whose excited speeches show that Downing Street is not in full possession of its sang froid. It would be better if it takes time to recover.” —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.