Evening star., 1921-08-20
POLAND NEEDS UPPER SILESIA
FOR HER ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Interdependent With Disputed Territory
For Coal, Ore and Food Supplies,
Says Washingtonian.

to Eethman- -Hollweg in July. 1917, we
read: 1T is no exaggeration, when
we insist uuon the fact that 1t would
have been impossible to continue the
Of Upper Silesia. whose factories
have enabled Germany to meet the
demands Of war"
Upper Silesia is the most important
arsenal OF Germany and essential to
her in time Of war. but in time Of war
only. For this reason alone. Germany
should forfeit Upper Silesia. To de-
prive her of this province is to do
more to reduce the chances OF an
other war in Europe than any condi-
tion imposed by the treaty of YER
sailles or any action within the scope
Of the league Of nations.
There Is second reason that in
huences many to look for a settle
ment Of the Upper Silesian question
that will be favorable to Germany. 1t
general impression exists that Polish
administration is hopelessly ineffi-
cient and corrupt. This impression is
not altogether justified. In the first
place 1t should be remembered that
divided and subject to foreign rule.
She has not been allowed the oppor-
tunity to develop a governing or ad-
mintetrative class. And yet Poland.
having reasserted herself and claimed
her rights as united nation at a
time and under conditions Of the ut
most difficulty. has nevertheless sue
ceeded IN forming government. with
all the departments necessary for the
conduct of both internal and foreign
affairs. which has been able to, defeat
foreign foe. to make alliances and
agreements with her neighbors, and
to steadily improve the condition Of
her people by the systematic develop
ment of her resources.
Most certainly this vague distrust of
Polish administrative ability is not a
Poland Of territory. If it can be shown
that in justice it should be hers, and
which is economically necessary to
her existence. Poland exists as ma
ton today. and is one with the allies.
She Is. indeed. an outpost Of the al
lies. Today she is the buffer state be-
tween bolshevism and the rest of
Europe. Tomorrow she will be the buf-
fer-state between Germany and Rus
sla. 1t 1s Poland who must bear the
orunt OF any future attempt on the
OF "Drang mach Osten"
Both Claim Victory.
Let US now turn to the plebtscite it.
self. 1t is said that majority Of
the Inhabitants of Upper Silesia have
declared in favor of Germany. What,
after all. do. the figures of the plebi-
scite snow. As is well known. both
sides claim a victory at the polls.
Germany claims majority Of some
259000. But in the first place the
plebiscite should never have been ex-
tended to any districts west of the
Oder, and the allies certainly should
take that into consideration.
The Polish government was out
maneuvered by the Germans when
it allowed itself to be handi-
capped by the inclusion Of a purely
German area that should not have
country west Of the Oder is undoubt-
edly German. It should be left to
Germany and its vote should not be
included in or allowed to influence
the vote in the area east Of the Oder.
In addition to this Germany's majority
may be attributed to about 10000
votes of those persons frequently
spoken of as "emigres"
1t can be proved that Upper ST.
lesia is of greater importance eco
nomically to Poland that to Ger
many, and now let us hope that Lloyd
George plays fair" with Poland:
STANLEY w. WISNIOSKI.