Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-19
HANDS 0FF,U. S.
POLICY IN UPPER
S|LES|A TANGLE
Substance of Hughes
Note to Polish Minis
ter at Capital :
Refusal Based On Traditional
Stand of United States Not
to NEEDLE in Purely Euro
pean Affairs-Text of Polish
Note

Washington, May Is. (By The AS
sociated Press)-Poland' request for
American support in the settlement of
the disposition of Upper Silesia has
evoked a formal answer from Secre-
tary Hughes that the American rep
resentatives abroad will take no part
in the discussions concerning the ST.
lesian question.
Poland was informed further in the
reply delivered to Prince Lubomirski,
at present may be SEEN" the Ameri-
can representatives on the supreme
council, the council of ambassadors
and the PREPARATIONS commission,
would not so much as express an
opinion as to the settlement.
In explanation of the American re-
fusal, Secretary Hughes pointed TO
the traditional policy Of the United
States not to become involved in
matters of purely European concern.
Poland, in appealing to the United
States for support in its claims to
Upper Silesia, said the Inter-Allied
Plebiscite Commission had been hold
ing in suspense for two months de-
cision n the matter and was playing
with the high strung feelings of the
population
1T is rumorcd," said the Polish
note, the text of which was ma &c pub
lie onight, hy the state department,
that Il decision will not be in ac-
cordanco with the outcome OF the pie
biscite, but in accordance with the
political combinations and interests of
powers represented in the inter allied
plebiscite commission and the SUI
prcmc council. l am loathe to believe
that this is true, but confirmation of
this seems 10 be the postponemcnt of
the decision in the matter.
The result Of an unfavorable deci-
sion in the matter of Upper Silesia
would be the return of over a million
people under German bondage. Pre-
ViouS settlement Of Polish affairs By
the supreme council gave Il basis for
such i Supposition. Inasmuch as the
popular impression in Poland is that
thc decision in the case of DanZig,
Wilma. etc. taken by the delegates of
the allied powers, with the exception
of France, has been prompted not by
principles of justice, but by the ma
terial interests of the six powers, it
is not surprising that the Poles of ST.
lesia eagerly rushed to arms and pre-
fcrred to perish rather than submit
themselves to the political combina-
tionS. which threatened their bodies
and souls.
THE Polish government which vi
gorously disapproves of such methods
of procedure, considering always the
legal way as the only appropriate
course in the settlement of political
affairs. has closed the Polish frontier
and is trying to calm the uprising. 1t
addresses itself, however, to the allied
and associated powers in the name of
humanity and justice not to make ex-
periments in scvering united popu-
lation, appealing to make their deci-
sion at the earliest possible moment
and in strict accordance with the
promise of the just plebiscite given
to the Upper Silesian people in the
treaty of Versailles"
To-day, when from the East are
come ideas of overthrow of the exist
ing modern social order. when the
ideas of democracy and progress and
therefore, the future of civilization.
is greatly endangered. millions of
people can not be made a plaything
of the intrigues of diplomacy. over
million Poles in Upper Silesia Ia
Guiding families) have given proof ri
their patriotism and devotion to tho
democratic Poland, disregarding the
Germany threats. They are fully
aware that in case they are returned
to Germany, the wives and children
will not only be deprived OF livlihood
or even of their lives. $3.50
This is not purely European nat
ter. On the just solution OF the mat
ter of Upper Silesia depends tie pa
cification Of this province and the
stimulation of her productivity which
has q great Importance in tie re-es-
Establishment of the economic stability