The Washington herald., 1921-05-22
EVENTS OF THE WEEK OVERSEAS
Lloyd George Expresses Opinion.

L contained elements which might easily result
in the dissolution Of the AngloFTench entente there
appeared to be immediate danger OF break until
MI Lloyd George made his remarkable speech in
Parliament which raised the temperature OF European
politics many degrees.
In the course Of this speech, the British prime
minister stated unequivoCally that Great Britain would
never accept fat accompli the seizure Of Upper
Silcsan territory by the Polish insurgents. He de-
sc,ibcd the insurrcction as open defiance OF the
treaty which, if allowed to stand, would constitute
grave breach OF faith the part of the allies and a
constant TO the peace OF Enrope. He further
stated that 1t was necessary to decide whether
the allies would reestabsh authority OF the treaty
and ORDER permit the Germans TO use their
forces in dealing with the situation. The prime min
lister, however did not Confne himself to statement
OF the position OF his government Having made clear
this position he proceeded to express his opinion OF
the Poles in language which left doubt as to his
attitude on that subject Although Poland has dis
claimed responsibility, he was inclined to consider
that disclaimer verbal rather than real, since in
similar situation at Wilma Poland had also repudiaed
responsibility. He referred to the fact that during the
war part OF the Poles fighting for the Germans
against the allies and pointed out that the freedom OF
Poland not by the Poles themselves but by
the blood OF English, French, and Italian soldiers
and was later established by the treaty Poland there
fore should be the last country to encourage viola
tons of the treaty. which is her charter Of freedom.
The speech Of the British prime minister aroused
such storm Of opposition that Premier Brand cailed
together the newspaper correspondents IN order 10
make known his position. He reviewed the events
that led up to the Upper Sesian crisis which he said
had been preciptated by publications by the Germans
that areas in which Polish population predomnated
would be awarded to Germany He declared that the
Polish government had done everything in its power
and that the allied troops, and in particular the french
had done their best to cope with the situation he
protested against any suggestion that Germany shouid
Iarf hOHf
the Poles and intimated that any such action on the
mart of Germany would involve France and would
have grave consequences. NJ. BRAND was emphatic
In his assertion that France desired to MAINTAIN the
authority Of the treaty and insisted that the situation
could be satisfactorily adjusted ii the British would
provide men instead Of advice to assist the french
troops in the pebscite He argued that the re-
cent voting had shown decisive majority tor Poland
in the mining which particularly desired by
Germany and that in accordance with the treaty the
comnunes which voted for Poland should be awarded
TO that country regardless Of whether they were rch
in resources or not
During the past few days the intensity Of feeling
seems to have abated. An interchange OF notes be-
tween French md British has taken place, and the
whole I,pper ,san question will be subject for
discussion at a meeting of the Supreme Council which
will be held Immediately after the French chamber
has reassembcd Mr. Lloyd George has denied that
it was his intention to suggest the use OF German
troops against the Polish insurgents, and the BRUSH
ambassador at Berlin has warned the German govern
ment against any such action. Although the situation
remain, very grave it is regarded as being as
dangerous as it at first seemed 1t is believed that
Premier Brands position in the French chamber VIII
be strengthened by his reply to Lloyd George, ana
that at the forthcoming conference an arrangement
will be reached among the allies which will pave the
way for an announcement OF the decision OF the
pebscite commission based on the results OF the