Evening star., 1921-03-27
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

NTO the whirlpool of European
affairs has been drawn more in
ternational political driftwood.
Channels leading from troubled
waters to placid currents are rap
IDLY being clogged. Each week sees
new causes of friction-new problems
which are potential causes for war
Were not nations almost PROSTATE be-
meath noxious burdens imposed by
four years of tremendous strife there
would be wars over issues that today
are arising through failure to settle
upon expeditions reconstruction proc
esses. But though there be no wide
spread confiagrationS at the moment,
the groundwork is being laid for a
heritage of bloodshed for future gen.
erationS.
Statesmen today ponder. then are
falling to act The world is drifting
as it never drifted before to what end
neither Downing street. Wilhelm
strasse or Quai dOrsay dare say. but
that the drift is dangerous is admit
ted. How to rectify conditions is a
problem that is turning Lioyo
Georges hair whittier, making Brands s
face more wrinkled and causing the
por2erous, slow-moving regime in
Berlin TO raise its hands and cry out,
"Ach."
Leadership Needed.
Europe today is drifting for the
lack of constructive leadershlp-
drifting because of the refusal of the
many nations most interested in re-
construction processes to abandon
utter selfishness and approach ad-
justments on a basis of fair-minoeo-
ness. There must be the common
ground of what is good for one must
Ne good for all.
The American spirit of n-mi nd
edness is admired in Europe. But 1t
cannot be applied for the reason that
centuries-old antipathies, Jeaiousles
and political ties cannot be uprooteo.
The treaty of Versailles was the
nearest the majority of European ma
tions ever approached to the subordl-
nation of selfish interests. Now even
this document seldom is referred to
in adjustments, unless one nation
wishes to perpetuate its nationalistic
interests to obtain stringent penalties
against it's enemies or another nation
wishes to charge that through aban-
ponment of it's precepts it is given
blight to evade its puniShmentS
Europe instead of forgetting about
war. militarism and all things begot-
ten of and kindred to human strife.
today is lunging forward, predicating
every future action on the power TO
do this or that by political or mill
tary coalitions. Lessons of 1914-1918
have not borne fruit in the councils
of various governments, even though
the people themselves may realize
that old policies cannot live II ma
tionS are to live, advance and prosper
Nations Taking Sides.
France today is arrogant in her broad
ened power England feels sufficient in
her schemings for the perpetuation Of
British interests. Germany is contempt
nous of rightful demands in punishment
for ushering in the bloodiest and most
fideous epoch in human history. With
these nations are aligned millions upon
millions Of peoples in smaller nations
who have chosen to see their destinies
closely linked with the larger European
bowers Possibly not officially and
through the medium Of offensive and
defensive treaties. but nevertheless sure
in the political melee of the moment,
which threatens eventually TO become
test of human man power and wars
devflish devices
Each day sees new problems to be
faced, with the old ones hanging In
allegiance
Cpper Sflesian Issue.
Possibly none appear greater than
that Of Upper Silesia. The plebiscite
rhich was to determine whether this
section of the old world was to be Ger
man or Polish has done nothing more
than throw at each others throats
Poland and Germany. Germany insists
that, having received popular vote OF
7O6. 4oS against Poland's All, ,406. she
should be given control over the whole
region. Poland. ably backed by France.
insists that inasmuch as the vote 10
detarmine the results was to be cast oy
communes and inas1nuch as Poland car
ned nine OF these, giving her tne rcn
mining regions Of Upper Silesia, Poland
Vdil retain these, leaving Germany bare
iy moro than the husk, in knowing sne
carried the large cities and indusu1al
centers. .n.
natural resources Germany tne re-
Rions turning these resources INTO
World-needed products Even the
most simple can forsee eventuaI re-
srlts. as they are interdependent.
with Germany strong in. urban
centera the Poles carrying the ma
@~xity of the rural secuons, tne su.
preme council faces TREMENDOUS
SIX in drawing a dividing line be-
tween the two sections if 1t is DECIDED
that the Upper Silesian region snail
he divided and the rich portions
turned over to Poland. as France IN
sists France. be it known. demAnas NOS
every assurance of a strong and ricn
Poland. insisting that a strong Po-
land assures Frances future safety.
Trouble for the Future.
ANY division of Silesia means an
ta agonisrns in future years on the
part of the Poles and intensihcation
Of the anri-Polish, French feel
ing in Germany. Inasmuch as Ger
MANY, according to international
economists of the first water, is sure
to recover from her present trying
sdtuation. the result may be forecast
oven at this early date. Silesia will
become tho Alsace-I-orraine question
of eastern Europe. with about the
sme results as in the west
The Siiesian question has a direct