Evening star., 1921-07-03
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

HANKS to British ingenuity in
unraveling dangerous political
situations. the Upper Silesian
question has been settled for
the time being. and only most uneX-
pected events will arter the present
status quo. The Germans under Gen.
Hoefer and the Polish insurrectionists
under korfanty have fallen back from
combat zones, leaving the diputad IN
dustrial areas in the hands OF the
interallied commission and allied
troops.
The whole Silesian question has
been filled with dynamite liable 10
blow to atoms prearranged plans OF
allied capitals and statesmen VINO
hewed and carved Europe in the i'aris
peace conference. That korfanty's IN
surrectionists have been appeaSed IS
largely due to the persuasive aoiity
of Gen. Hennecker. chief OF the Brit
ish armies in the SileSian zone, ana
their own inability TO achieve their
military incapacity during the period
Immediately following the Silesian
plebScite.
Action by British.
German volunteer organizations who
have sought to retain the disputed
areas have shown greater trust IN
the allies ability to handle the whole
situation in fair and square manner,
and this has been particularly true
since the British government. rouSed
from its letharSy and beinS reaily
alarmed at potentialities, dispatcheu
additional forces :" SileSia. - .ht
trust in the British that caused the
Germans under Gen. Hoefer to agree
to withdraw, permitting final uccl-
sion to rest with the supreme council.
which naturally will act upon the
recommendations of the plebiscte
commission.
Had it not been for timely British
interference undoubtedly there would
have followed the bitterest sort OF
warfare 1t has been reported that
the offensive and defensive al.lamoe oe
existing between Poland and France
would have caused France to take
every advantage of German effort to
retain the industrial regions. In TACT.
such conflict would have upset com,
pletely the reparationS agreement and
retarded European reconstruction
processes indefinitely. Only British
suasion, coupled with some pretty
strong talk on the part of Downing
street caused the French to deSlst
from at least open assistance OF the
Poles against the German defense or
Eanizations. But now that the Poles
have retired to safer ciimeS and the
German defensive organizations like
wise are redQS 10 dDilt bS
tates and cease their fighting. with
their own dissolution. the SileSian
question is less puzZling and more
liable to peaceful settlement. despite
alarmist reports emanating from the
district.
French still See Danger.
1t is reported through French
Eources-Gen. Leron. head of French
interests in Silesa-that the German
defense units will continue to exist
and that preparations are being made
to resist openly the allied dictates in
case the rich Industrial regions are
permitted to remain in the hands of
the Poles: that these units will even
resist the Wirth government in Ber-
lin and are a grave potential menace
to future settlements and concord in
Silesia. There may be some truth in
these charges. The Wirth govern
ment. keenly desirous of retaining the
good will it has builded un in allied
capitals, desires to see the repara-
tions agreement fulfilled with the
greatest show of good faith. Any un-
toward incidents in Silesia will react
against Germany as n whole. and
the Wirth government particularly,
should it be placed in position of re-
siSting any organization or OrganiZa-
tions which have as their fundamental
motives the furtherance of Teutonic
interests at all costs There is poSSi-
bility that the reichstag will be ad-