TOMORROW'S PLEBISCITE

According to the original plan adopted by the Supreme Council of the League of Nations in 1919, Upper Silesia was to be given outright to the Poles because of the predominance of Polish population. But this idea has been abandoned due to the strong claims of the Germans who maintain that this country,-some 5000 square miles in area,-having been in German hands for seven hundred years, has become thoroughly Teutonized and does not desire, therefore, to become a part of Poland. Furthermore, the Germans claim that they will be unable to pay their war debt without the aid of the very valuable resources of the Silesian territory.

Partisan feeling is at present running high, inasmuch as tomorrow is the date set for holding the plebiscite. The people living in Upper Silesia who are permitted to participate in the voting, number about 600,000, of whom 62 percent are Polish. This number would be sufficient to ensure a Polish victory were it not for the provision in the Versailles Treaty, which permits the return of all the native sons to the plebiscite who were born there before the year 1900. Germany is naturally making every effort to have all those born in Silesia return to their birthplace and cast their vote at the plebiscite. Propaganda in favor of both parties is active and it is estimated that over 100,000 people have invaded their native land for the occasion.

The stakes in this struggle transcend in importance the national issue involved. The wealth of Upper Silesia means so much to Germany as to make the result of the plebiscite a definite factor in the reparations settlement. On that settlement hinges the economic future of Europe. And from the results of the previous plebiscites held in West and East Prussia, it appears that Silesia will follow suit in desiring a German annexation.