The Clio messenger., 1921-05-26
Upper SiIesia Row Threatens
Break Between France and
the Other Allies.
LLOYD GEORGE VS.. BRAND
United States Will Take No Hand In
the pispute-Administration Drops
Fight on Borah's Naval Reduc-
ton PIan-RaiIway Wage
Cut Coming.
BY EDWARD w. PIcKARD.

Upper Silesia threatens to become
a wedge to split the entente alliance.
The Poles, slowing up in their insur-
gent movement, are relying on France
and have asked at least the moral sup
port of America. The British, as rep
resented by their government, are
thoroughly disgusted with the Poles
and resent the attitude and actions of
the French. France practically unan-
imously stands back of the Poles and
promises to "go 1t alone" If necessary.
Italy and japan are said to side with
the British, and America will not, for
the present, mix in the imbroglio at
ALL
Premier Lloyd George probably has
been talking too much-a fault of his
which has been in evidence before.
First he told the house of commons
that Poland was In the wrong, that 1t
was up to the allied plebiscite forces,
which are mighty weak, to restore or
der in Upper Silesia and put the Poles
back where he thinks they belong and
that If they could not do it, fairness
demanded that the Germans be per-
mitted to do IL. He also sent to Paris
a note severely crlticising the action
of the French troops in Upper Silesia
and declaring the French government
was supporting Korfanty in his rebel
lion.
Premier BRAND and the press Of
Paris responded with bitter attacks on
the course being pursued by Great
Britain, and it was declared France
never would recognize the alleged
promise made by the British to Ger
many, that she should have Upper ST.
lesia in return for acceptance of the
reparations ultimatum. Though the
total plebiscite vote in the zone was
in favor Of Germany, certain Of the
districts voted for union with Poland,
and the French claim these should go
to Poland in accordance with the
treaty Of Versailles. In fact both
sides to the controversy assert that
that treaty must be carried out, but
apparently they interpret it different
ly. The French say order could have
been maintained easily If Great Brit
ain had not withdrawn her part of the
occupational force, and that her ex-
cuse that the troops were needed at
home is insufficient. The opposition
press in England admits the truth Of
this.
Mr.. Lloyd George reinforced his
statements by further assertion that
he would not accept the French con-
tentions, and he spoke with biting
sarcasm Of the attitude Of the French
press. The editors of Paris, indeed
are saying some very unpleasant
things about the British prime minis.
ter and his government. One of them
prints an account of alleged intrigues
with Berlin concerning the ultimatum,
designed 10 give the British complete
control Of the economic situation in
Europe, and another accuses Lloyd
George of thinking he can continue to
dictate laws for the continent HE
forgets," says this editor, that the
French army is available for backing
Frances word, whereas England is
represented in Europe only by Mr..
Lloyd Georges speeches."
AS a matter Of fact, even granting
the technical and moral correctness
OF the British position, the French
have the best of II from a material
point Of view. Their army numbers
more than 100000 men; that Of Po-
land is the second largest in Europe
not counting the soviet Russians-and
the efforts of France since the armis-