Evening star., 1928-12-15
LEAGUE AROUSED
BY HOT DISPUTE
StreSemann Bangs Table as
Polish Leader Talks on
German Minority.
BY the Associated Press.

by the Associated EFeSS.
LUCIANO, Switzerland, December Is
The Council of the League of Nations
was reused to tense pitch today when
DR.. Gustave Stresemann, the German
foreign minister, banged the table with
his fist and interrupted Foreign Minister
Zaleski of Poland during discussion OF
German ninorities in Polish Upper ST.
leSia.
zaleski charged that agitation OF
German associations in Polish Upper
Silesia was danger to peace.
DR.. Stresemann flushed red and
brought his hand violently to the table
He hurled remarks in German at Ia
leski, but the Polish foreign minister
continued unmoved to read his criticism
OF German methods, declaring that the
associations were trying to convince
public opinion that the rights of Ger
man minorities were being ignored.
Glares At Interpreter.
During the English. translation CT
Zaleski's speech Dr. Stresemann again
showed evidences of displeasure, glaring
at the interpreter and n1httering.
When it was Stresemann's turn tc
speak, there were murmurs of excite
ment in the Council chamber and PreSi-
dent BRAND was forced to say sharply,
Silence"
DR.. Stresemann said that he had
listened with amaZement to the re-
marks made by the Polish foreign min
lister because he saw In them spirit
of hatred against the German minor
tiles
Showing evidence of being deeply
moved as he began his speech, DR.
Stresemann gradually got control OF
himself as he went on. He insisted
that it was not an abuse for the parents
of German children. in Polish SileSla
to seek redress for what they conSld-
cred wrong, and that If numerous
petitions were reaching the League pro.
testing against the refusal OF Poland
to allow German children to enter
German minority schools, 1t was mercy
because the parents were trying 10
protect the educational and religious
rights of their children.
Holds Protests Legal.
"zaleski referred to case of high
treason in Polish Upper SileSia, but high
treason is ofttimes merely love for ones
country which many of us will under
stand" DR.. Stresemann continued In
ringing tones. IF the League of Nations
supports the view that parents cannot
make use of their legal rights OF pro-
tests, then one of the strongest pillars
of the League will have crumbled. The
minority of peoples are looking to the
League for protection and If they get
the idea that the League is not dis
posed to listen to them, then perhaps
many people will reconsider their opln-
ions and reconsider their reasons for
joining the League"
Foreign Minister BRAND of France,
presiding, seemed quick to see danger
in the incident, the like of which has
never before taken place in the history
of the council Speaking with great
solemnity. M. BRAND said that he did
not wish the council to separate under
a bad impression and that he hoped
no false Interpretation of the days
happenings would go throughout the
world.
The fifty-third session of the Council,
so far as its public meetings are con-
cerned, was adjourned this afternoon.
The Council then began secret meet
ing to discuss the Paraguayan-BollV
dispute.
Stresemann was said in German
quarters today to be inSiStent that the
proposed commission of verification and
conciliation for the Rhineland shall not
exist after 1885.
The French apparently are upholding
the idea that the commission should
function after this date, which Is men,
toned in the treaty of Versailles for the
withdrawal of the last of the allied
troops.
The English influence has been
thrown to having the commission func-
ton quickly without waiting for more
cumbersome and slow action by the
League.
1t was understood today that discus
sion of this problem would be continued
between the powers concerned and
would run parallel with investigation by
experts of the reparations problem. 1t
was also clear that Foreign Minister
BRAND Of France, DR.. Stresemann and
Sir Austen Chamberlain of Great
Britain have agreed to make no declara-
ton during the negotiations which
might arouse hostile sentiments In other
countries.
League circles today had under dis
cussion proposal that wars be pre-
vented by an international air police
force. The plan was submitted to the
League by Col. Clifford B. Harman OF
New York, president Of the Interna-
tional League of Aviators.
Foreign Minister BRAND Of France Is
understood to be enthusiastic over the
proposal The project will probably be
discussed by the League commissions
studying international security and
AcOntinued on sge Z. Column s..