The Daily News. THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1921. THE SILESIAN PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, MAY 19, 1921. THE SILESIAN PROBLEM.

At the outset of the trouble over Upper Silesia, the cloud appeared to he no bigger than a man’s hand, and it seemed as if the exercise of ordinary tact and diplomacy would clear the political horizon. Unfortunately it is frequently that these small clouds grow apace and gather into a storm of farreaching effect. Whether favorable circumstances will result in averting a catastrophe in the case of Silesia is yet uncertain owing to some of the conflicting elements being highly-charged, dangerous •matter tending towards a disastrous clash. The possibility of an armed conflict arising out of the simple question of boundaries is too terrible to contemplate, but unless the policy of France undergoes a marked change in the direction of unselfishness and reliance upon justice rather than on force, there will be grave danger to the future peace of the world. The outstanding feature of the situation at present is the menace to the existing bond of co-opera-tion among the Allies, and there appears to be a likelihood that the friendly relations of the Entente Powers may be severely strained, if not severed. A recent cablegram states that another Supreme Council is necessary to repair the rent in the Entente’s garment. It is to be sincerely hoped that the rent may be so repaired that not only will the garment be as strong as ever, but that no trace of the rent will meet the eye. If this is to be accomplished there must be an elimination of the outburst of hysteria which is woefully noticeable on the part of the authorities and the Press in France, for the existence of the Versailles Treaty is at stake. It is conceivable that France strongly favors the creation of a strong buffer State between Germany and Russia, and is prepared to do all she can to achieve that project, but if she is going to desert, the Allies and join forces with the Poles in the hope of more completely crushing the Germans, then the enormous sacrifices made in the Great War will have been in Vain, and peace be a far-off dream. The situation is one that may well cause grave anxiety, and it requires exceptional talent to avoid a breach that may lead to grievous consequences. Unfortunately M. Bi'iand has allowed his patriotism to impair his statesmanship and obscure his judgment as to which is best and safest for his country, otherwise he would not have implied the possibility of the Allies wishing to use Upper Silesia as a “quid pro quo for their private purposes.” In making such an insinuation he overstepped the bounds of prudence and decency. A far more serious phase of M. Briand’s policy is,. however, reflected in the British opinion which credits France with a secret alliance with the Polish rebel Korfanty, strengthened not only by the action of French troops in Silesia, but also by M. Briand’s statement that France is prepared to take the field with Poland if Germany attacks her. An assertion of this nature, coming from the French Premier, cannot be lightly igno ed, but must be given face value, especially as it is known that French influence has been dominant in Poland since the collapse of the Soviet offensive. Poland’s position is perfectly clear; she wants to obtain possession and control of the best part of Upper Silesia, which is regarded by Ger-

many as being of even greater economic value than the Ruhr. Naturally Germany is. also eager to keep Silesia. According to the Versailles Treaty the people of this disputed territory were to decide for themselves as to the country to which they would he attached, but the way in which Germans were thrust into Silesia for the purpose of giving Germany the verdict practically destroyed the real value of the plebiscite. M. Briand admits that France does not claim that the whole of Upper Silesia should belong to Poland, but that the territory should be divided on the basis and the plebiscite result “in conformity with justice,” and on the basis of communes. Why all the trouble over such a simple matter? A. properly qualified commission could settle the matter in a few days if all concerned agreed to abide by the decision. The fact of the matter is that the French Premier has become unbalanced under the restraint imposed by the Allies against the French desire to utterly crush Germany. While the utmost sympathy is felt for France in the afflictions she has had to endure at Germany’s hands, the Allies are charged with the onerous duty of upholding the Peace Treaty, any infraction of which on their part would be just the excuse Germany needs for tearing it up as a scrap of paper. Italy and America view the matter in the same way as Britain—a territorial settlement in accord with the plebiscite. France will rue the day should, her present temper lead to the breaking of the Treaty and the rupture of the Entente, but it is to be hoped reason will prevail, though at present the situation has an ugly appearance.