Evening star., 1921-05-29
BY HENRY w. BUM.
tcop,rirht, 1921, BY The Washington st.r.)


-HE following is a brief summary Of the
news Of the world for the seven days
ended May 2s:
I UPPER S1LESIA. ETC.-on Satur-
day afternoon, the 21st. the German volunteer
corps in Upper Silesia suddenly attacked the
Polish positions There was brisk fighting
until Monday, when the Germans ceased to at
tack apparently in consequence OF the pacific
efforts of Won Moltke the German representa-
tive with the pIepscite commission. ih1s volun-
teer corps has undoubtedly been considerably
swelled from across the border "nen 1t at
tackled. the British. French and Italian govern
ments made new and peremptory representa-
ton to Berlin, demanding that the German
government close tight the frontier TO prevent
passage of men and munitions into Upper
Selisia. The German government promised COM
pliance. and in fact has complied Moreover.
yielding to British urgency the German govern
ment has raised the food blockade On the
other hand. though the Germans ceased their
aggressions. Korfanty continued his siege of
several important towns. On the 18th he
captured Kattowtz. the great coal center His
proclamation of the previous week, ordering his
followers to dsperse, was apparently not taken
seriously. 1t is surprising that the German
volunteers should be able to restrain them
selves. The explanation probably is that Brit
ish troops are on their way to Upper Silesia.
1t will be interesting to watch developments
after their arrival. They receiving an ex-
traordinary ovation in their passage through
Germany.
tReports just received tell Of considerable
scattered fighting between Poles and Germans
up to the 27th. due. apparently. to Polish ag-
gressions On the 9th representatives Of the
Polish and German forces met and agreed to
knock of ighting.)
From Tuesday until Thursday. NJ. BRAND
was attacked by his critics in the French
chamber. Especially his Upper Silesian policy
condemned weak. He defended him
self with excellent temper and q kind Of
majesty. He boldly declared that he is for
moderation. He asserted that the German
government is showing good faith. He received
overwhelming vote of confidence. Now he
is ready to meet Mr.. Lloyd George. There will
probably be a session of the supreme council
very soon. There is rumor that Mr.. Lloyd
George will propose that the indisputably Ger
man part of Upper Silesia be given to Germany;
that the remainder be governed for thirty years
by an international commission appointed by
the league of nations: that at the end of thirty
years there be another plebiscite in the un-
assigned part.
The trial Of Germans accused of war crimes
has begun at Leipzig. The first man tried,
sergeant, has been convicted of brutality to
British prisoners. and sentenced to ten months
Imprisonment. The British seem to think the
sentence inadequate.
1t is perhaps hopeful sign that part Of
the French class of 1919 has been demobilzed
X X X
AUSTRA-The world is. or should be.
awaiting with anxious interest report Of the
results achieved by the conference which opened
at Portarosa, near Trieste. April 30
ference of representatives of the states formed
out OF the disrupted Austro-iungarian empire.
Of the states which have received accesSions Of
territory from that empire. and Of the great
allied powers. Those who brought about the
conference (the initiative was Amcrican), hoped
that the conference might formulate a common
economic policy. such to restore to the
regions which formerly made up the empire the
economic well being they enjoyed under the
empire. OF all the states concerned. Austria
would most profit by such policy. The other
states could make shift to get along (tbough
nearly well) without Austria. But to
Austrias subsistence independent state
it is necessary that the absurd economic bar
riers which have been raised against her should
be completely leveled that she should enjoy
the most intimate and unhampered economic
IAtions with the other states.