ALLIES DISAGREE.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1921, Page 5

ALLIES DISAGREE.

ANGLO-FRENCH BREACH.

ITALY SUPPORTS BRITAIN,

SEW GERMAN WAR THREAT s

•j Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 17, 9.10 p.m. London, May 16. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Express says Anglo-French relations •re worse than they have ever been pince the black days of the Fashoda incident.

The correspondent adds that he has tao wish to make sensational statements, but he knows that M. Briand (Premier of France), when addressing journalists, had in mind war with Germany. M. Briand meant that the French would occupy the Ruhr district •nd the fleet would blockade Antwerp and other cities mentioned at the London conference. He added that French money had been spent in Poland for the purpose of making her a military power . and a strong ally on the German eastern frontier.

Unless good feeling and judgment is restored the differences between London •nd Paris may develop into a crisis profoundly affecting Anglo-French relations, and the application of the Versailles Treaty. Italy warmly supports Mr. Lloyd Georg’s want of sympathy ■with the Polish insurrection, and feels bitter about Italians killed in the disturbances. Italian feeling has been •winging strongly against Britain, but on this occasion fully supports her. Belgium sides with Mr. Lloyd George’s speech. |

The Berlin correspondent of the Times says that while applauding the speech, German opinion shows an underlying bitterness. The newspapers declare it is the Allies’ task to restore order, and it is unfair tc ask Germany to disarm and at the >ame time go to war with Poland. A Paris correspondent says a large section of French opinion welcomes the Silesian dispute as an excuse for an advance by the armies waiting at the Rhine bridgeheads. The Echo de Paris asks Mr. Lloyd George where the 60.000 soldiers required to deal with Korfanty are to come from, and adds: “France will not permit Germany to move, and Britain cannot send troops.” A Washington correspondent says American opinion leans strongly to Mr. Lloyd George. It is considered France encouraged Korfanty, and is determined to have a strong Poland to keep Germany down. The United States Administration. however, is not taking part in the dispute.—Times and Reuter Services.

THE REBELS’ LEADER

SURPRISE AT BRITAIN’S POLICY.

NO SUBMISSION TO GERMANY.

Received May 17, 8.35 p.m.

London, May 16. A Daily Chronicle correspondent inter, viewed Korfanty, who claimed that he •' had created order and now it was for the Allies to give their decision. Asked what would happen if the Allies refused to give Poland all the vast territory east of the river Oder, Korfanty declared it would mean an insurrection, and if that proposal became a decision he would pack his bags and go away, for his role would be over. He added responsibility rested with the Allies, but he could say the Polish people would never again submit to German rule. If that was the decision of the Supreme Council there would be absolute anarchy in Silesia. Korfanty added: “I don’t understand the English attitude. We always tried to establish friendly relations with you, but you seem to look upon the Poles as something less than niggers.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

WHY ALLIES DISAGREE

FRANCE’S HOSTILITY TO GERMANS.

THREAT OF FURTHER ADVANCE.

Received May 17, 8.35 pm. London, May 10.

Mr. Martin Donohoe, the Daily Chronicle correspondent at Paris, states Mr. Lloyd George’s speech, presumably intended as an admonition to the Poles, was unhappily interpreted as a direct incentive to the Germans to resort to armed intervention in Silesia. M. Briand was consequently angry, and the French were equally angry, and as Mr. Lloyd George addressed a solemn warning to the Poles, M. Briand retaliated with a solemn warning to Germany to keep her troops out of Silesia, or otherwise take the consequences. :X I never remember M. Briand in such an angry mood as during the interview on Saturday,” says Mr. Donohoe. “He was outspoken and vehement to a degree, smiting the desk with his fist as he entered the strongest protest against the biassed and false reports that the French Government had failed in its duty to Silesia.” Mr. Donohoe says a British Note which reached Paris on Friday hinted that French officials were secretly favoring Korfanty, and the French Government was credited with a desire to gratify Polish ambitions by facilitating the possession of the whole mining area of Upper Silesia. In the French reply sent on Saturday exception was taken to the greater part of the British statement. The reply says individual Poles may be responsible for events, not the Polish Government, and neither France nor French officials secretly encouraged a policy of un fait accompli in Silesia. Mr. Donohoe adds that if the Germans intervene in Silesia French troops on the Rhine will immediately move forward, and as a preliminary they will occupy the whole of the Ruhr region. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.