USVI Public Records

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ain could suspend the Ivish [constitution. Irishmen in the éolonies would have the right to choose whether they would be subjects of the Irish or English King. Iffavourably received by the Irish lead- ers, the scheme would be submittedsto a constituent assembly. Some of the southern irish leaders, ito whom the scheme was outlined described it as “‘preposterous’’, Lord Hugh Cecil, in discussing his scheme, said he still ia- voured union. but as that was no longer practical, politics and {ederation did not satisfy the Irish, who wanted distinet nationality,, Great- Britain must go as near to the direction they want as pos- sible. Whatever plan was proposed, h: d clared, must be one formed and approved by the Irish, but also accep- table to the British. He then outlined the plan, adding ‘'l write thus in no spirit of optimism. fhe2 significance ot the vroposal comes from the fact that he is ihe guest of the vondonlerry Fa- mily, the greatest wember of which was Lord Castlereagh, to whom, more than to auv-body else, the breakinz up of deary Geattans irisnh Parliament and the pdssing of the act of umon were due. Par’'s, May 17th-—M. Miilerand con- ferred «n ithe upper Silesian question with the King of Belgium and members of the renceh and Belgian Ministry yesterdav said the “Matin’’. The Atti- tude IFrance and Belgium vould take n case Germany should send troops in- to Upper Silesia without authorization from the Ailies was discussed, the news- paper asseris, and a complete agree- ment was reached. London, May 17th.—Tension over the Polisihh revolr in Silesia, waich zver the week-end threatened a cvisis the ranks of the Mnteate, seemed here today to have passed {or the moment at least. An exchange of views on-the subject has bz2en proceeding between London aad Paris, and there seemed to be con- fidenca that Mrv. Lloyd .ieorge and M. 3riand wonld reach an understanding vhen they meet. Berlin and Warsaw despatches have servad to reassure the British Public, and ic was believed to- dav thai neither+Sermany nor «Poland would iake steps that would increase the zravity of the situation, peading eomplsie coasideraiion ol tae problem. Kansas City, May 17th—-The possibil- ity that Great Britain might be dra /o into confliet with the United States, through the medium of the existing Anglo-Japanese alliance, was denied by Sir Auckiand Geddes, British Am- bassador to the United States, in a speech deliverad here last night to mem- bers »f the Standard Sociziy and the Knife and Fork Club. “‘Tae Anglo Jap anese treaty said 3ir Auckland was or- iginally designed (o prevent Russian and Germar aggression in the [ar 2ast. When the treaty was renewved in 1911, it- specifically provided that toere snould S 1oUity A AN LD be exempted from its working any ua- tions with whom eitheir Great Britaia or Japan had a general arbitration trea- ty. Such a treaty—was drawn up be tween Great Britain and the United States, but failed te be ratified by your senate. But in order to obviate, any possibility of being drawn into a confliet with the United States on any ground whatever, we then drew up the Peace Commission troaty. Berlin, May 17th.—A semi-official note issued today announces, that in compli- ance with the terms of the allied uitima- tum, calling upon Germany to pay 1,000, 000,000 gold marks to the Alliesin re- parations wichin a pezriod of 25 days, the German @Govt. has offerced the repar- ations commission this drst paymeat on this amount to be made at onece, amouni- ing to 150.000,008 gold marks in the shape of foreign carr:iiey. Payment, it 1s staied, wili be made at a plaee (0 be desigiated by the reparations conimission and the balance of the sum due will be paid within the period prescyibed. Washington, May 17th.—The Borah amendment (o the naval appropriation bill requesting the President to calia naval disarmament conference, will bhe adopted under an agreemenc reached - day in the Senate betwecen the opposing factions. Washington, May 17th. Definite though iunformal notification has been served on Soviet Russia by the United States Department that so ilong as the United States citizens are held prisoners thee exists no chance of the recognition of the Soviet Govi. in any forin by the United State . Washington,, May 17th. —Richard Wasburn Child, the author and former editor of ‘*Collins Weekly’’, has heen elected by the President as Ambassudor to Italy. London, May 17th. —ln the by-election for the Abingdon Division of Berkshire, Mr Lloyd, Coalition Unionisi, was re turned unopposed. London, May 18th.—Mr. Lloyd George issued a statement this morning reit- erating the British attitude towards the Upper Silesian question expressed by him n his recent speech in the House of Commons, and disclaiming responsi- bility for tne aistorted reports in the Freuch newspapers. The Fremier’s statement began as followz. 1 adhere to tn® statemrent made in the House of Commons on the subject of Silesia. Naturaliy i can only accept rasponsibiii- lity for what I actually said, and not for the truncated and distorted reports in the Frenehi newspapers. '‘'The al- mosi unanimous approval given by the American and the Italian as well as ihe British Press, to the sentiments [ then expressed shows that the great Naiinnsg who stood by the side of KFrance in the war, meant to interpret the treaty of Versailes fairly. ‘'l have never wit- nessed such unanimity cn wny guestion. Ail shades of opinion in these three couniries take the same view. It would be unfortunate were the French Press to take a different view, but we must tolerant of differences of opinion among ourselves. With all respeet, I would say to the French Press that the habit of treating every expression of Allied opin- ion which does not coincide with their own as an impertinence, is fraught with mischief. That attitude of wind, if per- sisted in will be fatal to any Entente. The stand by the British, Amsarican and Italian public on the Silesian question ought not to be offensive to France, They stand by the treaty of Versailles, They mean o apply the ' terms tn the treaty justly, whether they happen to be for, or against, Germany.”” The fate of Upper Selesia must be decided by the Supreme Council, and not by cordap- ty. Children of the treaty cannot be allowed tn» break crockery in Europe with impunity. sSomebody must piace a resiricting hand”’ over them, oth- erwise there will be continuaj trouble The course of the world in the coming year caanot be forecasted. The mists ahead are more than usually dense. Much will depend on the Alljes holding tozeth- er. Apart from treaty obligations, avents which cannot be foreseen must deter- mine the futars grouping of the nations, and the future of the world, and espe- cially of Europe, will be derermined by old or new friendship’’. Under these circumstances the Treaty of Versailles is a document of in{inite moment, espe- cially to the nations of the Eatente, It binds us togeiher, when there is so muech to divide us. Those who treat its pro- visions as if thay wore®she sport of passion and prejudice may not have o live long to regret their hotheadness’’, London, May 18ih. —T'he Warsaw cor- respondent of the LLondon l'imes baljoyes the only solution o the Silesian question, without blooished and without saerific- ing the dignity of the Ailies, is io create an independent state of Upper Siiesia. He declares that tae plebiscite has proved a [atlure and adds, ‘“"Now that waeapons are out, it is almost impossible eithsr to divide the area, or 2ive it waolly to tho Polas or the Germans withouc Pravokingy a struggle.”” He advocates independ- ence, followed by an appeal to local pi- triotism”’, in order o eounisract embi:- tered feelings.”’ : London, May 18th —When M, blovd George was invited yesterday to 3ay something coneerning ithe siate nent printed in the Dublin Freemans .Journal on Monday, to the effect ihai ne nail offered to meet Eamon e Valera, andl other Irish leaders, withouat conditions; tie tollowing siatcment was issued from No. 10, Downing- Straet, the official resi- dence Jof the Prime Minister, *‘Mr. Lloyd George has made no statement on ihe subject of Mr. De Valera beyond what he already has stated in the House of Commons.”’