Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-16
TWO ANGRY PREMlERS ARE
lMPERILlNC WORLD PEACE
The Heated Invectives OF Mr.. Lloyd
George and M. BRAND Furnish the
Wrong Approach to the Delicate
and Dangerous SiIesian
Problem

Problem
THE transfer Of the latest European con-
i fict from Slesia to Paris and London
is an exceedingly severe test Of the intensity
OF national self lf-interests inevitable In world
readjustments
Numerous were the crises which threat.
ened disruption of the conference of 1919.
Though the eventual outcome was a unified
plan based on compromise. this fact does not
imply equal satisfaction on the part of all
the victorious signatories Of the Treaty Of
Versailles. The contamination OF that pact
proves that to tho various nations involved
the prospect of world anarchy was more dis
tateful than the certainty Of only partial
realizations of each conflicting program
Similar alternatives are raised in the pres
ent issue between Great Britain and France.
The invectives Of Aristide BRAND and Lloyd
George are in sense feelers. dramatic and
highly colored presentations Of opposing sides
Of the Slesian dispute. The obvious aim Of
each OF these statesmen is TO strengthen po-
htical prestige at home and 10 press ma
tionalistic claims as far as is consistent
with world safety.
Tactics of this sort. though common
enough in history. arc always imported by
the possibilities Of miScalrulation. The
breaking point may be nearer at hand than
angry partisans imagine. This was actually
the case when Austria planned to bully
Serbia in 1914. Bad judgment was the
proximate cause Of the World War. fact
which has made il possible for each OF the
belliserents to dsclaim any desire for strife.
Only in the broadest sense, however, is
there kinship in the situation which pro
voked the war and the existing crisis which
bcclouds the peace making. Upon calm re-
Election it can be easily appreciated that an
open breach between France and Britain
would be far more disastrous than the most
botChcd and imperfect settlement Of the
Silesan troubles.
The two Prcmicrs arc plainly playing for
position. Mr.. Lloyd George has frankly
suggested that il the Allies arc unable to
preserve order in the plebiscitc district of
Upper Silesia, German troops should be
permitted to take a hand The conception
outrages VI. BRAND. who cmphatically de-
clareS that under no circumstances would
France ever agree to such an arrangement
OF the sincerity of the French Prime Min
istcr's Indignation there can be no question.
y certain disingenuousness can. however
be traced in the line &c his attack upon his
opponent in tho duel. since NJ. BRAND pours
out his wrath not upon definitely decided
policy of the British Government. but upon
a suggestion linked with a highly sgnh
cant IF.
Your il is the only peaccmaker much
virtue in IT," Its early introduction as n
potent factor in the present ructon may be
expected unless the two chief nations of
Europe are determined to plunge the world
into further agonies for the sake of a Situa
ton in which neither of them has been
guiltless.
The approach to the Sltsian problem
was auspicious enough. The Versailles
Treaty called for vote Of all the inhabitants
of the rich industrial and mining region
separating Poland from Germany. The
plebiscite was duly held and the Allies,
France. Britain and Italy. then policcd the
territory pending a decision by the special
commission supplied with the results and
analyses of the balloting.
Prompt judgment on these findings would
have been an unmstakabe earnest OF sin =
cere intentions. But the chancelleres of
Europe are notoriously dilatory. domestic
politics and commercial ambitions being the
principal clogs upon swift. direct action.
If rumor is to be credited. the dangerous
interval during which the fate of Upper
Siesia has been undetermined has been capi.
talized by French impCrialistS. eager 10
strengthen Poland at the expense of Ger
many.
The British. on the other hand. are unCOn
rerned With frontier safeguards on the
restoration Of normal trade conditions
throughout the world, and this view does not
run counter to treating Germany, II not
with frendness. AT least in a fashion
neither ugly nor vcnomOusly suspicious
Mr. Lloyd George iuterprets the Korfanty
insurrccton in Silesia as a fiat breach Of
the treaty and as one more intolerable in
stance Of the policy Of bad faith which tho
Poles since their restoration TO national
dignites. have so militantly exploited. lie
stands upon the inviolacy Of the Versailles
pledges. and wha his motives, this at
titude is rich in abstract appeal.
The Polish uprising, clearly conceived TO
create an established fact before the verdict
on SIesla is handed down by the Interalled
Commission is without the faintest moral
justification. Americans in general see the
issue this way, and now that we have re.
turned TO the European councils. this view
is sure 10 be Of vital assistance TO the
| British cEuSc.
But ge.ng behind these sound ethics and
examining the realities, it will be found
! that Britain was loath to assume her full
| responsibilities in safeguarding Silesa thar
! her troops stationed there were few and that
| the burden Of suppressing the Polish out
rage has fallen mainly upon France.
Naturally, NJ. BRAND is cross when be
beholds Mr.. Lloyd George arming himself
! with virtue after mismanagement and in e
| difference to a situation long known 20 be
| delicate had become acute.
The many sidedness Of the quarrel cannot
! however. warrant shufiing and hedging oven
| the vital point. The Poles have ieopardjzct
the validity Of solemn compact. Unlps,
reSpect for tho treaty is restored Germany
will be enabled ~ justify any course NJ eva
sion in which she may choose to embark.
| hA
struction, II France and Britain continu,
10 be long at odds over the Silesian muddle
The thought should be SOLDERING enough 4
check the hashy over emphasis Of evan tb,