25 JANUARY 1919, Page 2

A Berlin telegram states that the British Government sent it

Note to the German Government on January Sth requesting that Germany should refrain from provoking the Polish popula- tion in East and West Prussia, Posen and Silesia. The German answer is fairly characteristic of the old riginut. It is a string of plausible excuses, the general effect of which is to lay the blame on the Poles and to represent all Germans as injured innocents. We fear, however, that the British Government are only too well informed as to the doings of Germany. Recent political discussions in Germany prove that the opinion is preva- lent that the future of Germany lies in Poland. It is believed that the only way for Germany to recover p owes in the West is to expand industrially eastwards, and above all in Poland. Once thii is understood it is seen that Germany has is very material motive for making self-government impossible for the Poles. Here is a complete explanation why the German popula- tions in Poland are being ordered to fight against tho and why arms are also being given to the RUSSiall. Bolsheviks who are advancing into Poland.