Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-09
CLASH INEVITABLE
IN UPPER S|LES|A;;
FEELING RUNS HIGH
Germans and Poles Bitterly
Press PIebiscite Campaign.
Date Not Set.
Er tho .As>m-iated Press

-tS>"fldlff
BERLIN. May Whatever the
outcome of the elections in upper ST.
lcsia, there will he trouble. in the view
nf a large number of upper Silesian
Germans and Poles. with whom an AS
sociatcd Press correspondent talked
surfing an extensive tour of the pleb-
l.scite zone. This also is the view of
many neutrals who have studied the
situation. which is regarded as one of
the most complex in central Europe.
Entente officials in upper Silesia
were reluctant to discuss the ques-
ton of the future of that great min
ing district. but il is said some be-
1icve that, if the Poles win. the re-
muval of 500 of the most active Ger
man agitators from the district would
insure peace.
Poses Criticixe Allies.
! The interallied commission is now
III. subject of sharp criticism by
l.oilsh sympathizerS. who complain
that il failed to take the necessary
measures sunday last to protect Polish
demonstrators from German attacks.
The 1nceSSant activities of the
Polish and German propa ndists.
who continually are bandyIng sensa-
tional charges and counter charges.
already has created a tension among
the popuiace which il is believed is
likely to result in widespread disturb
anceS- The Poles. feeling themselves
free at last from German domination
to which they have so long been sub
missive now are vociferouSly venting
their grievances. which hitherto they
could only secretly nurse. This new
found aggreSSiveneSS infuriateS the
i. Germans. who affect TO despIse the
Poles as being culturally inferior to
the Russians
Further Clashes Likely.
The temper of the contending fac
tons is such that further clashes are
believed Inevitable
During the last few days number
OF the commissions civilian employees
nave been carrying revolverS at OPP
peln, where excitement is intense. 1t
is understood the commission is ap-
prehensive that the present force of
French and Italian troops is INSULT
cient to cope with big outbreak and
laments the absence of the American
and British military contingents
which originally were intended for
service in the zone.
Warn of COnspiracies.
The commission daily receives
Stacks of anonymous letters from
both Germans and Poles warning
against conspiracies the other side il
alleged to be Matching. A commune
cation received Wednesday detailing
an alleged plot to blow up the huge
railway bridge crossing the Oder at
Oppeln prompted the commission to
station soldiers to protect it.
The restraining influence of the
German agitators is the fear that
Gen. Lerond. head of the commission
is only awaiting a preteXt to ask the
Polish government for military assist
Hgr1rr
Poland has an army near the frontier
composed largely of Polish Americans
who fought with the American ex-
peditionary forces and were demobil-
lied in France.
Since the rioting last Sunday Incl
dent to the Polish demonstrations
French soldiers have been doing some
: guard duty. hitherto performed by
the German security league. AT
Oppeln soldiers are protecting the
Polish consulate and two Polish news
papers.
Election Date Not Set.
The commission has not yet indi-
Gated when the elections will be held
1t is understood the commission feels
that IT is only fair to give the Poles
a suf1cient time to conduct an educa-
ttonai campaign among their people.
Both sides are being afforded ample
scope for propaganda. provided il does
not incite to disorders. The commits
sion apparently is reluctant to hold
the election until the excitement
abates. but IL is debatable whether
delay Will not increase rather than
diminish attention.
The Associated Press would do the
commission a signal favor if il would
explain to the world the great diff
cultles of our task said Gen Lerond
The peace treaty IL our law Our
only project is to carry out its pro-
visions with Justice and impartiality.' :.