Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1921-05-19
Lloyd George Tells Commons
Poles Defy the Treaty.
WORLD IMBROGLIO FEARED
Britain's Prime Minister Is Alarmed nv
the lnsurrection in Upper Silesia
Backed by BoIshevik Money,
He Hints.

uGCldIGu
the action of the Polish insurrection-
lists was complete defiance of the
treaty of Versailles.
Il think it is right I should speak
quite plainly" Mr.. Lloyd George said,
because, If these things can happen
and we take no notice and do not deal
with them with that stern Justice
which has characterized the attitude
of this country in all it's dealings
abroad, it is going to be fatal to the
peace of Europe. If that is disturbed,
l do not see what is going to happen
to Europe.
i am alarmed, am frightened that,
unless some confidence is restored to
the world, the consequences may be
or the most terrible character"
Gives Two Alternatives.
Mr.. Lloyd George said there were
two ways of dealing with the Silesian
situation. One was that troops of the
allies assist in restoring order. 1t was
not for him tc express a military opin-
ion, and he did not insist on this part
of the program, but he was entitled to
insist on an alternative. Either the
allies ought to insist upon the treaty's
beng respected, or they ought to al
oW the Germans to do so. The prime
minister continues:
mot merely to disarm Germany, but
to say that such troops as she has
are not to be permitted to take part
in restoring order-that is not fair.
To say to Germany: Here is your
province, here is something which has
been decided by the Versailles treaty
either for or against you, but the
Poles are to be allowed in defiance
of that treaty to take it, and you
will not be allowed to defend your
selves in a province which has been
yours for 200 years and which GER
tainly has not been Polish for 600
years. is discreditable and not worthy
OF the honor of any land. / am per-
feetly certain that will not be the at
titude the allies WEI take.
'"Ehe only thing which l would like
to say in behalf Of the government is
this:
Whatever happens we cannot ac-
Cept fat accompli. That would be
TO permit defiance which might lead
to consequences of the most disastrous
kind
Says. Allies Won Poland Liberty.
Mr.. Lloyd George declared the treaty
of Versailles was the charter of Polish
freedom, and that she was the last
country of Euro,;e who, had the right
10 complain about the treaty Poland
did not win her liberty, tn. prime min
lister asserted; her liberty was, due to,
Italy, Great Britain and France.
There is not a letter of the treaty
that does not mean young British
life, that does not mean Gearly two
French lives, and there were hundreds
Of Thousands of Italians" tee prime
minister continued.
Mr.. Lloyd George cited that the
Holec were divided in the war, half
Of them fighting with the Germans.
"They fell in German uniforms" he
dec.nled land shot Gown Frenchmen,.
British aud Italilrs w!,o were fighting.
for their freedom.
Il see Korfanty Qeader of the Polish
insurrectionists) has said that the
Poles in Silesia would die rather than
surrender. If they had thought thar
earlier, when the battle for Polish free
dom was being fought, there would
have been fewer British, French and
italian lives lost. But they only think
of it when the Germans are disarmed
and helpless.
1.-The Polish government has repu-
dated responsibility, and l am bound
to accept that statement as represent
ing their views. But it has happened
once too often"
Cites Lithuanian Settlement.
The prime minister recalled the set
Element with Lithuania, to which the
United States, France, Italy and Great
Britain were parties.
"yilna was occupied by regular
Polish troops in defiance of the al
lies" he said. 'NThey were asked to
retire, and they said:
a'We have no responsibility for it.
1.-THE same thing is happening now.
The same disclaimer Of responsibility.
Arms passing from Poland and officers
crossing her frontiers make it very
difficult to feel that those regulations
of responsibility are anything but pure
ly verbal"
Mr. Lloyd George pleaded for the
unfolding of the treaty both for the
COLO of honor and for safety and Sc