The state herald., 1921-02-08
Murder and Outrage
In Fight to Control
Rich Silesian Mines

Editors Note-Control of one of
the richest coal mine regions of Eu-
rope will be determined in a plebis
cite to be held in Upper Silesia
probably around March 10. Poles and
Germans are equally anxious that
they shall carry" the plebiscite and
much feeling has arisen. The United
Press sent Carl D. Groat from Ber.
lin to report the actual conditions.
Following is his first dispatch.
BY Carl d. Groat
{ United Press STAFF Correspondent.)
Beuthen, Upper Silesia, (By Mail)
Upper Silesia is so surely going
Polish that Poles already have or
anized government for it,"
That statement was made to me
today by Herr Korfanty, born Ger
man, once a member of the Reich
stag and now Polish leader
81 am willing to bet my head the
plebiscite will give Poland this rich
district" he declared with wide
sweep of his arm to indicate the
spread of Upper Silesia.
Korfanty declared plans had been
made even down to the laying of
railway lines into isolated sections
Germans residing in this coal region
have claimed that the Poles are com
ing across the border numbering and
plundering, holding men and women
up in the streets, literally sending
them to their homes without a stitch
To these rumors Korfanty replied:
True, there are disturbing eie-
ments here and people have blood
| in their eyes. But | do claim that
Germany is wrong in blaming us en-
tirely for disturbances. Germany is
using systematic forces against us.
1T is true that many of our people
are armed. That is no secret But
while 1t is not easy to obtain wea-
pons from Poland where there are no
factories to produce them in. Now the
Germans are smuggling all sorts Of
weapons into the district, week by
week.
Unsettled conditions have result
ed as in Berlin and else where from
the war. l admit there is agitation
on both sides-so strong ut times that
some violence results from It.
Likewise the district always has
been a refuge for white slavers, Snug
glers and other law breakers. It is
still infected by some Of these dis
turbers who may possibly have more
freedom now than they enjoyed dur
ing the war.
"A German mob attacked our prop
aganda bureau shortly after Il was
opened. They've attacked the Polish
consulate and Polish printshops. They
can't charge those attacks to US.
"A mob stormed this very hotel
where we are sitting now and six
hours later ignited fires In the halls.
spreading benzine to make sure the
blaze got a start. II was natural l
should order the invaders to be shot.
II was impossible to learn all the de-
tails but II is certain these rufiians
were not residents but were brought
In from the German side.
Another thing showing we are not
altogether responsible is the list of
arrests. They show about as many
German names as Polish"
Korfanty replied to questions re.
garding rumors that France is pro.
viding Polish propaganda funds with
a flat denial. He declared he would
like TO have 100000 francs. but
that he had certainly not possessed
any such sum.
Germany always has used Silesia
as 4 colony, using a s.iE policy with
traditions Of the middle ages ha
said. Polish rule would be different. -
Silesian exports, he said. naturally
go eastward. while her Imports are
from the Scandinavian countries. lie
denied that Polish troops had been
scattered through the district To
threaten the residents Into support.
lng Poland In the plcbscitc.