Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-06-14
EUROPE EXPECTING
j. s. SHOWDOWN ON
LEAGUE POLICY SOON
By WILLIAM BIRD
LEASED Wire Service to The Journal, J
Lfyna..-s-.l

\SopyrlSht, 1SZl.)
PARIS, June 11.-Uncertainty as
to the American attitude on the up
per Silesian question Is the principal
reason for delaying the meeting of
tht allisd supreme council. which
Ambassador George Harvey has been
directed to attend. 1t is announced
the meeting may be held later this
month.
A few weeks ago the British were
anxious that the meeting should be
held at once, as Prime Minister Lloyd
George was persuaded American sen
timent was behind him and there
fore, more favorable to the German
position than the French. The
French asked for a delay on the
pretext that the situation was too
troubled, but really because they
feared the British premier's judg-
ment as to Americas attitude was
correct.
Today it is the British who are
delaying the proceedings on the al
legation that they must await a re-
port from their commissioner in up
per Silesia, but really because they
fear that American opinion has been
reversed as a result of the invasion
of Sflesta by the German irregular
troops under General Hoefer.
There is good reason to believe
that both the British and French gov
ernments are making frantic efforts
through diplomatic channels to dis
cover what attitude Arnbas Sador Har-
vey will be directed to take at Bou-
logne. AS this is the first council
meeting since last November at
which the United States has been
represented, there is naturally the
greatest curiosity concerning the ex-
act policy of the new American gov
eminent.
U. S. Influence Expected
The decisions OF the council must
be unanimous. Therefore, in view of
the fact that neither France nor
Great Britain is disposed to yield,
a compromise seems inevitable. The
distinct Impression here is that
American Influence wiN be thrown in
that direction.
Such compromise can hardly take
the form of a division of the dis
puted territory since this Industrial
area essentially is a unit The sug-
gestioni put out with the greatest
confidence and seeming to meet the
least opposition from both sides is
that the whole of upper Silesia be
neutral1zed for a period of five years
and placed under the administration
of some impartial body.
The only body thus far suggested
seriously for the task is the League
of Nations, and thisraises a question
which is provoking lively interest
among European political observers.
VIII the anti-league American gov
eminent recognize the existence and
authority Of the league by proposing
or acquiesctng in such delegation of
power? If so. WILL it then insist
upon representation in the leagues
deliberations?
This one particular way in which
the Harding administration may be
dragged wi.ly-niliy INTO a more. or
less complete acceptance Of the Ver-
sailles program, only emphasizes
what many authoritative Europeans
believe is bound to happen.
Hughes Plan Seen
Certain English critics in analyz-
ing this tendency believe it to be
deiberate ggf oley On the part be of @
preston is that he proposes to let
events demonstrate his known con-
viction that American aloofness from
the peace settlements and their eX-
ecutive machinery Is impossible. BY
refra!ning from any comprehensive
ers. he avoids antagonizing the
United States senate "irreconcila-
bles." but will go the whole distance
by taking each step only when Amer
lean interests appear imperatively to
demand it.
Ambassador Harvey's well-known
opposition to the league, recently
emphasized in his London speech
seems to these same critics help
rather than hindrance to such
The above analysis represents an
impression rapidly growing among
practiced political observers. and the
writer has. thought 1t worth while
to report it, since Americans are "
acts of their government is making
abroad.
European opinion and analyses may
all be unset bv the destination OF Mr..
Harvey to express any views what
ever at the meeting in Boulogne.