The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-22
Upper Silesia Is Storm Center
of Peace Opposition.
Object to Important Mines Be.
ing Coded to Poland.
JUST ELEVENTH HOUR BLUFF?
Hun ENJOYS Will Threaten
Break To Test Allies.
Then They Will Sign "Under
Protest." Paris Believes.

London, May 22.-Full realization
of the peace terms has restored some
of the national feeling in Germany
which seemed entirely TO have van
ished and today there is almost solid
national opinion against the treaty.
according to the travelling correspond
ent of the Daily Mail in dispatch
dated at Beuthen, in Silesia. near the
Polish frontier, on May 20.
Germany is slowly finding men
around whom she will rally, the corr
respondent adds Upper Silesia will
fight, he says, and may soon be the
storm center of the attempted peace
settlement.
The correspondent adds that upper
Silesia is determined to remain Prus-
sian and that 1900. 900 persons have
signed a solemn pledge that the min
ing and foundry industries of the re-
| gion will be handed over to Poland
only in ruins and the price taken in
| blood"
Upper Silesia today, he says has
| 10000 Prussian troops under arms.
The troops are said to be seasoned
| fighters
just Big Bluff?
Paris, May 22.-The German peace
( delegation will make an eleventh hour
test the allies determination, accord
| ing to the belief expressed in official
French circles today. Once the enemy
sees the allies mean business-realizes
that the economic blockade will be
1 frightened and sees the allied armies
| spring to attention, ready to march
| into Germany-either the present or a
substituted delegation will sign under
protest" is the way the French have
| it figured out.
tinued to grow that Foreign Minister
! Brockdorff- Rantzau personally will
| refuse to sign the document in its pres
ent form. regardless of what his as
sociates may do. His expected with
| drawal. it was said. would form the
| basis for the Germans bluff.
Foes Final Proposal.
Berlin. May 21.-Germany's final
counter proposals to the peace treaty
tative source today. be constituted as
| follows:
First, insistence on fuIfiIIment of
! President Wilson's principles.
Second. request for n plebiscite In the
| eastern and western provinces.
Third, acceptance of the principle 0f
full disarmament. but the reservation
that 100000 troops are necessary TO
maintain Internal order.
Fourth. complete agreement for
elimination of the German navy, but
with insIstence that some merchant
ships he retained 10 insure the
country's economic development.
After Saar Control.
This information was obtained from
an official in close touch with the
delegates at Versailles. He made the
statements without qualification; The
| German government, he said. believes
the eastern plebiscite would be ad-
vantageous to Germany, and regards
victory in the Saar basin as certain
in the event of a vote.
From another source it was learned
that Germany also will urge that the
indemnities be Jumped in one sum,
instead of an indefinite amount to be
collected during a long period, so the
German wOrkmeD, financiers and
government may know the extent of
their obligations.
To Quiet Hun Disorders.
Paris, May 22.-The seven DAYS
granted the Germans before the time
limit for the submission of replies to
the alliel peace terms expires will
not be devoted exclusively to the
drafting of notes at Versailles, but
will be employed at Berlin for the
purpose Of quieting agitators there.
according TO newspapers here.
1t is pointed out that there is an
influential party in Germany made up
of Independent and Majority Social
lists which favors the signing of the
| treaty BANKERS, manufacturers ana
business men generally as well as the
authorities are said to share this view.
believing that anything is preferable
to Bolshevism, which might ensue IL
Germany refused to agree to the
terms of peace.
Philip Scheidemann, the German
chancellor, and Gustave Noske, min
| lister of defense. it is said. have COM
promised their position by exagger-
ated statements and have placed
| themselves in a difficult situation.
| Newspapers declared the extension
| granted yesterday will be the last con-
cession as to time made to the enemy.
| II this is true, ii is expected the
treaty may be signed between June
J IL and June 16.
Big Four Considers Notes.
Paris. May 22.-The council of four
' Of the peace conference this morning
; considered the questions rega riding the
Saar Valley raised by n recent Ger
man note on this subject This after
: noon the council will take up the rub
ject of reparation.