New-York tribune., 1921-05-17
Fate of Premier's Cow
ernment at Stake in
Conference To Be Held
at Ostend Next Week
Anti-Britisll Spirit
Rampant in Paris
Belief Grows That Britain
Is Turning Toward Ger
many; Sentiment In
sists on Polish SiEesia
Special Gable to The Tribune


PARIS, May 16.-The French and
British premiers will hold their con-
ference next week at Ostend, accord
ing to reports current here to-day.
The French point of view, stripped
Of diplomatic phrasing, is that the
controversial industrial district of
Upper Silesia should be given to
Poland. If BRAND does not succeed
at Ostend in winning Lloyd Georges
assent on that point it is predicted
here that his Cabinet will fall and
will be replaced by another more
nationalistic in character and less in
clined to follow Great Britain's lead
in matters of Continental policy.
One significant development Of French
public opinion, borne out daily by com
rents in the French press and by politi-
cal leaders, is the growing coldness
toward the British and the mistrust of
what is considered here the friendlinssx
of England toward Germany.
Anti-British Feeling Grows
Lloyd George, by his speech Friday,
unloosed q torrent of criticism against
the British policy. The unanimity.
promptness and bitterness with which
French publicists attacked LLOYD
George indicate to what extent anti
British feeling has grown in France
The French policy, which more and
TT
new foreign crisis, is directed toward
the permanent crippling of the indus
trial power Of Germany, upon which
Germany would be able to construct
/ anew her military power. The keystone
of that policy in the east is a strong
combination. That is why the French
see in Lloyd Georges attack on Poland
an indirect attack on France.
The corridors of the Palais Bourbon,
which have been vacant for the last
three weeks, ARE again the scene OF
animation, as the French Deputies
regather for the reopening of Parlia-
ment Thursday. The topics of chief
interest concern the showing Premier
BRAND will be able to make after mis-
London conference and the new Siie-
sian crisis.
The opinion is quite general in po-
litical circles that Brands position
has been considerably strengthened By
his firm reply to Lloyd Georges speech
in the House of Commons Friday. and
that the French Premier will be in
trusted with the tack of making the
Germans keep their engagements and
not interfere in Upper Silesia.
Ruhr Coup Held Effective
The French public is convinced THAI
it was the mobilization of the French
army which caused Germany's complete
acquiescence to the Allied ultimatun1
and that the continued menace Of
French trops on the Rhine is the best
preventive of German military opera
tions in Upper Silesia.
Former President Poincare, in this
mornings issue of lie Matin, says:
81 recall the time when Joffre. Foch,
Petain-all three-said, 1T is on the
Somme that we will disengage Ver-
dun In case Of need it will be in the
Ruhr that we will disengage Upper ST.
lesia."
Although it is believed that Premier
Brands position will not be endan-
gered at Thursdays session of the
Chamber of Deputies, he will be the
object of an attack by the able Ma
tionalist Deputy, Forgeot, and others
who believe he surrendered too much
to Lloyd George.
French Parliament gave him to under
stand the time had come to lay a heavy
hand on Germany. Next Thursday, ae-
cording TO predictions in political
circles, the French Chamber will be
just as unyielding in regard to Upper
Silesia.
LONDON, May 1s (By The Assocs-
ated Press The Intervention of the
Whitsun holiday brought slight cas-
ing of the tension in the Silesian crisis.
No new development was reported to-
day and apparently nothing further mas
been decided upon with reference to
the meeting of the Supreme Council
which probably will not take place be
fore next week, as the debate in the
French Chamber is expected to occupy
several days.
The view IN London is that the DELAY
will serve a useful purpose in allaying
passion on both sides and providing
a more favorable atmosphere for calm
discussion when the Council meets.
Moreover. IL is believed that the French
Premier, NJ. BRAND, WAS not averse to
seizing the opportunity afforded by
Lloyd Georges speech to assume
a strong patriotic attitude, which would
sSS@AS iliiti DiE NutG Oh commence
that otherwise would be somewhat
doubtful, since the French press had
attributed TO the diplomacy of the
British Prime Minister defeat OF thr
French plans for immediate occupation
of the Ruhr.
Assurances Ease Situation
Official communications were made
to-day through the Polish legation at
London voicing Polsnd's determination
to respect the provisions Of the Yer-
sailles Treaty, and these assurances.
combined with the attitude of fhe Ger
man government and press in repudiat-
ing an attempt 20 take military ac-
tion in Silesia, are regarded as having
greatly eased the situation.
Lord Hardinge, Ambassador 70
France, has been in London during the
weekend consulting with Earl Curzon.
the Foreign Secretary. and \. ]. Bal
four, Lord President of the Council.