New-York tribune., 1921-05-19

Premier Rebukes French
Press for Distorted Re-
ports of His Speech
i'm Commons on Silesia
Claims Support
OF II. S. and Italy
Children of Treaty Who
Break Crockery Must
Be Restrained, He Says
From The Tribume's Europeas Bureea
Copyright. 1921, New York Tribune Ire

SOpyrlBnL. L5G1s GNeW OTA
LONDON, May 1s.- Premier
Lloyd George served fresh notice on
the world to-day in statement IS
sued from 10 Downing Street that
Great Britain cannot consent TO
stand by while the Treaty of Ver-
sailles is being 'trampled upon"
The Premier's statement reaf-
firmed the views he expressed last
week in Parliament regarding Upper
Silesia. 1t sharply criticized the
French press for the hostility with
which it greeted his insistence that
the nationality of Upper Silesia be
decided according to the treaty, and
warned that the habit of French
newspapers "of treating every AL
lied expression which does not coin
eide with their own as an inperti-
nence" will wreck the Entente if per-
sisted in.
AS warning TO Poland, the Prime
Minister said: '"The children Of the
treaty cannot be allowed to break
crockery in Europe with impunity.
Somebody must place restraining
hand upon them"
"The fate of Upper Siiesia," Lloyd
George insisted, ''must be decided by
the Supreme Council, not by Aor-
fanty."
French Press Criticized
The Premier dealt vigorously with
what he called the distorted reports
the French newspapers carried of his
utterances in the House of Commons
last week on the revolt of Poles in
Upper Silesia against the result of the
plebiscite, in which various districts
declared in favor of annexation to
Germany.
1t is felt in London that if the
French press reflects the views of Pre-
mier BRAND the Anglo-French aili-
ance will exist henceforth in name
only.
The Prime Minister'S statement
comes on the eve of Premier Brands
temperance in the French Chamber
of Deputies, at which time lively de-
bate is expected, with the French Pre-
mier's critics figuring prominently.
No British official has made so frank
public expression of opinion regard
ing French policy as this utterance of
Lloyd George. Either the British Pre-
mier believes BRAND is not in SYM
pathy with the attitude of the French
press, or he has given plain warning
that he intends to support Germany
against the Poles unsanctioned claims,
whatever France decides to do.
At the outset Lloyd George says the
American and Italian press are almost
as unanimous as the British III ex-
pressing approval of his declaration
that the Treaty of Versailles must be
interpreted fairly.
Premier's Position Clarified
Not only does Lloyd George stand by
everything he said previously, but this
regarding Poland's action in Upper ST.
lesia and Frances attitude towssrd Ger
many over this question.
"The British people will shirk no
part of their responsibility under tnis
treaty" said Lloyd George. Although
temporary difficulties make it difficult
to spare troops" he added. he expected
to have them soon if they should be
required.
The final paragraphs Of the state-
ment refer to Great Britain's desire
TO settle the Silesian boundaries at the
recent conference in London. and by
implication the Premier charges the
French with responsibility for the de-
lay.
The date of the Supreme Council
meeting is still unsettled. although it
was thought in Downing Street today
that BRAND might be able to arrange
TO meet Lloyd George at Lympne Sum
day,
The manner OF issuance of the state
ment to-day was unusual in itself. and
shows how clearly the British leader
regards developments since Korfanty's
insurgents invaded Upper Silesia
Official Text of Statement
LONDON, May Is (By The Asso-
ciated Press) 1.-The text of the state
ment issued to-day by Premier LLOYD
George follows:
Il adhere to the statement made in
the House of Commons on the subject
OF Silesia. Naturally, can only accept
responsibility for what l actually said
and not for the truncated and distorted
reports in the French newspapers, The
almost unanimous approval given by
the American and the Italian, as well
as the British, press to the sentiments
then expressed shows that the greet
nations who stood by the side Of
France in the war mean to interpret
the Treaty of Versailles fairly.
have never witnessed such una
nimity on any question. All shades
of opinion in these three countries
take the same view. It would be un-
fortunate were the French press to
take different view, but we must
be tolerant Of differences of opinion
among ourselves.
with all respect, would say to the
French press that the habit of treat
ing every expression OF Allied opinion
which does not coincide with their
own as an impertinence is fraught
with mischief. That attitude of mind,
if persisted in, will be fatal to amy
entente.
"The stand taken by the British.
American and Italian public on the
shesian question ought not TO be Of
fensife TO France. They &And by ths