The New York herald., 1921-05-09
Big BATTLES NEAR
IN UPPER SLESIA
Poles Receiving Heavy
Streams OF Volunteers
and Have Artillery.
CZECHS MAY GIVE AID
Food Supply Running Low
and May Prove Decisive
Factor in Situation.
MINES HEAVILY GUARDED
Germans Say Warsaw Is Aware
that Regulars Are Helping
Insurgent Forces.

Special cable rs THE NEW YoRK HERALD.
Copyright 1891. by THE NEW YORK HERALD.
BEUTHEN. Upper Silesia. May s.
Heavy engagements are expected to
take place in two or three days as a
result Of the Polish uprising. The
Poles are receiving a heavy stream OF
volunteers and now are equipped with
artillery. though to what extent can
not yet be judged The likelihood oi
intervention by the Czecho-Slovak
Is being discussed, and such turn in
affairs might provide a way out fol-
both the Germans and Allies.
The food situation is constant
menace, though on taking stock OF
supplies the Germans find they have
stores in most centres sufficient to last
two weeks. A few of the larger towns
however, will exhaust their stores In
four days.
THF NEW YORK HERALD correspondent
discussed the plans OF Michael Korfanty.
Polish insurgent leader, for provisioning
the district and paying the wages of the
miners with leading Germans, who de-
clared that the idea of the insurgent die
tator was illusory. They say that food
either from Poland or Czecko-SlovakIa
could not be imported and distributed in
time to prevent a famine. The mine
owners also say that Korfanty's esti-
mate that there was enough cash in the
Silesian banks 10 pay so per cent. of
the pay rolls due May Is was incor-
rect. Only 10 per cent. of the money
necessary is on hand, they said.
Bond Plan Discouraged.
The issuance of bonds countersigned
by the Mine Owners Association, sug-
gested by Korfanty as another means
of paying the miners. also is impossible
they say, because there are not enough
managers who could obtain the author
ization from the owners quickly enough.
And even IL they could. the currency
could not be issued in time TO be used
when the payrolls must be met.
The German mine owners also deny
any negotiations with Korfanty or that
they had themselves planned the de-
struction Of the mines which the rebel
leader says moved him TO take charge
of the uprising. The Germans them
selves fear that the mines will be de-
stroyed before the insurgents can be
driven out. They say that even with
out the intention of the Polish leaders
this is likely to happen. The electric
power by which the pumps are kept in
operation comes from two generating
plants near Beuthen. and their coal sup
ply now has run low. III these power
plants close down the mines viii suffer
millions of dollars worth of damage.
Miners Must Have Pay.
Food riots thus far have been or mi
nor Importance, and orders are being en-
forced for the control shipment and sale
OF food. But unless the miners get their
pay and food next week there viii be
untold suffering and disorders.
The mines now are being guarded by
the workmen's council, in which the
Poles have a majority. These ordered
operation to commence yesterday in the
Koenigin Luise and IN the Koenig mines.
Operation also was resumed in the plant
~ the German Nitrogen Company under
The orders OF the Polish committee. but
il had to be suspended following a raid
by insurgent Poles.
The miners give evidence OF wishing
10 go back TO work under pressure from
their wives who are opposing the pros
poets of starvation, particularly as
strike benefits are not being paid.
There is still a prospect OF obtaining