New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-17
Silesia Is Test
OfIeague,S Says
Lloyd George
Premier Reviews Proceed
ings of Allied Council in
Comprehensive Address
to House of Commons
Calls This Issue Delicate
He Says Allies Ought Not
to Keep Troops OH Rhine
Longer Than Necessary

ated PreSs) -. Premier Lloyd George,
speaking in Tie House Of Commons to-
day concerning the last meeting of the
Ai''~s ruy '~ council, declared that
IN many respects it WAS the most i'm
portant since the declaration Of peace.
Questions were before it, he said, which
menaced the solidarity of the Entente.
The unity of the Allies, Mr. Lloyd
George asserted, WAS guaranty for
the peace of Europe, and it was mat
of the meeting a resolution was passed
not merely that the alliance be con-
tinued but declaring that the spirit of
the alliance was as strong as ever.
The question giving the greatest
anxiety, the Prime Minister continued,
was that of Upper Silesia, which ne
said was in many respects one of the
most dangerous and delicate yet raised.
1t never seemed to him a very difficult
matter to settle the question on its
merits. geographically, economically
and statistically; Mr.. Lloyd George
said, but the problem was complicated
There were large sections Of French
public opinion believing that the takins,
away of the coal mines and iron works
of Silesa from Germany was essential
for the security of France, he declared,
but this he believed to be a delusion.
Italy Agrees With Britain
Mr.. Lloyd George reviewed the his
tory of the Silesan question and re-
,oI in hi ch
~, seven elevenths of the population
voted to remain with Germany. The
dispute ranged around a very important
industrial triangle, the Prime Minister
went on. The towns were German and
the villages Polish, he pointed out, but
taking the area as a whole the substan-
tial majority was German.
The Italian experts agreed with
Great Britain, Nh Lloyd George said
but the French differed. Great Britain
France and Italy have the same inter
est, namely, to do justice between the
disputants, he declared. but the French
undoubtedly were moved by the qucs-
ton of security.
Calling attention to the Polish insur-
rection, the Prime Minister character
lied it as an attempt to anticipate the
decisions of the Supreme Council. IlC
had emphaticaly protested against rec
ognizing what had been done as a fat
accompli, since if such things were
tolerated without protest the reign OF
international law would end, Mr. Lloyc
George asserted, and force would be
come supreme in the decision Of these
great frontier questions. This, he de
clared, would be fatal to peace.
Most Important Issue
After some discussion by the Supreme
Council, Mr.. Lloyd George said, it wa:
apparent that complete unanimity wa.
quite impossible, and the members wer,
unanimous in agreeing to refer TIM
matter to the League Of Nations. TIL
question could not have been submitted
to the league before, he said, withou
hazarding complete failure, because tn,
Supreme Council had first to get rid O
the instruction, which could not b.
thrust upon the league. He assume'
the league would not attempt to dea
with the question itself, but would re
fer it either to committee Of jurisc
or to an arbitrator.
1t was very important, the Prim
Minister said, that before nnythin
had happened France, Italy Japan an
Great Britain were pledged to accep
the decisions of whatever body wa
nominated by the council. The partie
would undoubtedly appear before tn
Judicial triouna appointed by tn
league he dec.41cl nd the matte
would be tried on basic documents an
evidence. 1t was the mos importar
question yet referred to the leagu'
MIR. Lloyd George asserted, whose re;
utation and influence would be Ell
HANGED considerably if it dealt with
successfully.
Pending decision, he said, it migf
! be necessary to send reinforcement
into Silcsia to prevent a recurrenC
Of anything like the incidents whic
,, had disturbed the peace of Europe
the past.
Armies Of Occupation
, Another troublesome question, II
: Prime Minister said, was that of tt
. sanctions or penalties imposed on &c
y many for noncompliance with treat
terms. Germany was doing her be-
in the matter Of reparations,
= thought, and the Allies felt that
prolong the irksome customs barrie
on the Rhine would be unfair, and
was thus agreed to terminate ther
With regard to the military sanction
the occupation Of Ruhr region port
e etc. the French felt that some claus,
OF the treaty have not yet been complet
), ly carried out regarding disarmamcn
4 and these sanctions would be retain'
for some time longer. The matter,
t said, would come up at the next nee
= ing of the Supreme Council.
r There was a general feeling, col
d tinued the Prime Minister, that tt
! time had come for the gradual r
duction os the military burden impose
upon Germany in the matter Of occ'
= patton and control. the cost of whit
@ was absorbing almost the whole of ii
money which ought to be available f,
t. reparat!ons and which was sour
= OF constant irritation. The soon
Europe was settled down to norm
the better. Germany was now e
- fausted, but as she recovered the mil
t tary occupation and the control inca
d ures became more irksoYne and
G feared there would be danger of ep
t sodcs.
n Russian Famine Discussed
Mr. Lloyd George said he appree
. a-cd Frances apprehcnsi ons of VIII
might ensuc if Germany ever renew'
her attacks, but the real security
d France. he declared, depended upt
l. three things. The first was disarr
a ament, upon which Great Britain hi
always insisted. Germany could II
y build up great armamcnts in seer
!, and Tho Allies would be bound to knc
= about the attempt long before it bccar
q menace. The second he said. was Il
r. recollection by Germany Of the ru
/ the war which she had started h;
n wrought or her own country, and Il
n provoked war wantonly brought Il
# whole world upon the aggressor, al
i the greater the initial success Il
- greater in thc cnd ,UouiJ bo Tho Il;