The Mena weekly star., 1921-05-19
FRANCE WILL NOT
 PERMIT NEW WAR
To Act at Once if Germans Retaiiate in Upper SiIesia---Britain Quickly Replies to Alleged "Uasympa-
 thetic Speech" by Lloyd George.

Paris, May l5. Entry of German troops into Upper Silesia would pro- yoke intervention by regular Polish troops, which would mean war, and in such war France would not be- main neutral, according to expres- sions in official circles here today.
 The expressions were provoked by the speech of Premier Lloyd George on the Silesian question which is re- garded here as hostile toward Poland and unsympathctic toward France.
 Never could the French govern ment consent to German troops enter ing Upper Silesia," declared Premier Briand, who took the unusual course of receiving all foreign newspaper correspondents in group this after noon.
 German bands are operating iu Upper Silesia, maltreating and ar resting Poles" he continued. Not all the disorders in that province are produced by the Poles. The French government could not permit Ger man military forces to intervene in such a situation.
 French Not Passive.
 q protest with all my energy against the false impressions being spread turnout the world. The French government has fulfilled to the utmost of it's power ita duty in Upper Silesia. We have 13,000 troops there who have had to deal with 100,- 900 insurgents and rising of sew eral hundred thousand persons.
 French troops could do no more than hold the cities, the towns and the strategic points
 Eff the British government would send 10000 troops there Co help us the disorders could be put down more quickly"
 News received by the Foreign Off, flee from Upper Silesia today IS that the insurgents are going Go their homes and returning to work.
 "The French government's solution is that the allies should in the first place assume a calm attitude and in- struct their commissioners in Upper Silesia to try to reach unanimous agreement
 My keenest desire is that the trouble shall be settled amicablv, that violence shall cease and work be re- sumed. But there are German bands who have insulted molested and ar- rested French officers Ordes uarst be imposed upon the Germans, as well as upon the Poles.
 Germans Accused
 "The Germans are trying to force developments. It is insinuated that Germany may intervene in her turn in Upper Silesia It would be an error on her part She would provoke the most formidable eventualities. France could not remain disinterested. and not an ally would authorize the entry of German troops into Upper Silesia.
 "Mr. Lloyd George has interpreted the situation from his viewpoint. but we are free countries, great countries which can talk to each other face to face. 1t belongs to none to give or- ders to another. The British premier cannot alone take the initiative of authorizing German troops to pene. trate Upper Silesia Besides. there is nothing of the ser! ::s h::s=. ii;.
 This reference to Mr. Lloyd George was M. Briand's reply to an inquiry as to what he thought of the speech of the British premier in the House of Commons yesterday.
 Urges Impartiality.
 "Mr Lloyd Georges thesis.v he continued, lis that Poland must not render judgment herself. It is a just thesis, and l approve 1t absolutely, but 1t must be applicable to Germany as we'll as to Poland. France has made too great efforts toward an as- sured peace to let herself be troubled by the claims of few great German mine owners. Independent of these selfish interests, the allies must &C., complish their duty in rendering jus tice.
 There have been imprudences. Germany has been too much given to understand that if she yielded to the allies ultimatum she would gain some advantages out of it. Upper Si- fesia, however, has nothing to do with reparations"
 Premier Briand was asked regard ing possible mediation by the United States
 "The United States" he replied, sshas returned without reserve to the Supreme Council Her voice may be heard and her ideas will be received with the greatest favor"