ADRIATIC PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 181, 26 April 1919, Page 7

ADRIATIC PROBLEM

OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT WILSON

ITALY'S CLAIM TO FIUME

INTERESTS OF THE NEW

STATES By Telegraoh—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. April 25, 8 p.m.) Paris, April 21. President Wilson has issued a lengthy official statement dealing with the Adriatic problem. Ho points out that Italy entered tho war upon tho bpsis of a definite privato understanding with Britain aud France known as tho Pact of London. "Since that time the wholo circumstances have altered. Many other Powers entered the struggle with no knowledge of that privato understanding. The Austro-Hungarian .Empire, then an enemy of Europe, and at whose oxpense the Pact was to bo kept in tho'event of victory, has gone to pieecs.. Not only that, but several parts of that empire, it is now agreed by Italy and her associates, shall be created independent States and. associates in the League of Nations, not with those who- recently were our enemies. They aro to be among , tho smaller States whose interests henceforth aro. to bo scrupulously safeguarded. The war w ended by an armistice, and peace with Germany on clearly defined principles is proposed. Therefore wo cannot ask tho great body of Powers, to proposo peace with Austria and establish a new basis of independence and right in the. States which originally constituted the Ausf.roHungarian Empiro, and tho States of tho Balkan, group on principles of another kind. If . these principles are to bo adhered to, Fiume must serve as an outlet and inlet of the commerce not of Italy, but of tho lands north and north-east of that_ port, for Hungary, Bohemia, Rumania, and the States of the new JtigoSlavie group. If Fiumo were assigned to Italy it would create a feeling that wo had put that port, upon which all these countries depended for access to the Mediterranean, in the hands of a Power of which it was nofr>an integral part, and whose sovereignty 1 .must inevitably seem foreign, not domestic, or identified with tho commercial and industrial life of the regions which tho port -must serve. It was for these reasons that Fiume was not. included in tho Pact of London."

Elaborating these arguments, President Wilson says the new plan of European order centring in the League of Nations will provide against any unfair •treatment of Italian nationals in those regions. He points out that through her sacrifices and those of her Allies Italy's ancient unity is restored. Her frontiers have been restored to tho great walls which are her natural defence. President Wilson appeals to Italy to extend to tho, newly-liberated peoples across the Adriatic, with magnanimity and' friendly generosity, the preference of justice over interest. The Allied nations bad made supreme sacrifices,' not for national advantage, nor defence, but for the settled peace of tho world. America, as the initiator of peace, has tho compulsion i.pon her to spare every decision with the principles ho enunciated, and can do nothing else. He trusts and believes that Italy will asl: nothing but what is unmistakably consistent with these sacred obligations. Only on Sucii lines can tho world's peace be made secure.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. (Rec. April 25, 11.5 p.m.) Paris, April 23. President Wilson, has authorised the statement that he is prepared to accept, the consequences of his manifesto, and adds: "The Italians for some days havo been threatening a rupture."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. REASON FOR ISSUING THE STATE- . MENT. . (Rec,. April 25, 7.30 p.m.) Paris, April 23. President Wilson issued his statement because he conceived that Italian residents in America, as well as in Italy; had gained a wrong conception of his attitude over the Adriatic question.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

" AMERICA'S LAST WORD" MAY STRIKE DEATH-KNELT, DP THE LEAGUE. (Rec! April 26, 1.35 a.m.) Paris, April 21. It is reported that President Wilson's manifesto was prepared several days ego, lmt was withhold pending discussion on Mr Lloyd George's proposition. American circle's declare it to be America's last word'on tho subject. That may mean that America will make, a separate'peace or tear herself adrift from the European situation and leave the Allies to arrangs peace in their own way It probably strikes the death-knell of the League of Nations. It is considered unlikely tliat Britain and France will depart from tho Pact or make a separate peace without Italy. President Wilson's dictum practically applies to the Japanese-Chinese case, which involved nearly similar points. Briefly. America does not stand for cutting ."iip any nation among the victors.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

"LABOUR LEADER" CONGRATULATES THE PRESIDENT. (Rec. April 20, 1.35 a.m.) London, April 21. The London "Labour Leader" has con. gratulaled President Wilson.—Renter.

BOMBSHELL FOR THE ITALIANS PRESIDENT AVILSON ACCUSED OF \ BAD FAITH. Paris, April 24. Signor Orlando has written to M. Clemenceau regretting lhat President Wilson published his manifesto while negotiations wore proceeding on a compromise which might have been accepted. Signor Barzilai, an Italian delegate, states that the publication of the manifesto came as a. bombshell while they were discussing the compromise. The manifesto was published over the heads of all the delegates. President Wilson had elected himself the supremo umpire. . Signor Orlando has (made a statement that President Wilson's action is a departure from diplomatic customs, and leaves tho Italians no option. King Victor has endorsed Signor Orlando's attitude. The Italian delegates accuse President Wilson of bad faith in publishing his statement when tho Italians were making a supremo effort to find a modus vivendi. American correspondents assert that Mr. Lloyd Georgo and M. Clemenceau approved of the manifesto before its pub-lication.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ITALIAN PARLIAMENT TO BE SUMMONED. , ■ (Pec. April 25, 8.50 p.m..) -■ /x , Paris, April 21. Signor Orlando states that the three Powers had grunted Italy's final minimum except Finnic, which was to lie left a free port. The next event was President Wilson's manifesto, which Signor Orlando had first seen in au evening paper. Signor Orlando explains lhat he is'not breaking'with tho Allies, but it is superfluous to discuss matters with President Wilson. Signor Orlando will summon the Italian Parliament, which will meet immediately.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. .

SJOiVOI). ORLANDO UI?CiET> TO ST A N : J) FITJM. (Ktc. April' 25, 7.:l0 p.m.) Rome, April 2L The King of .Italy and a. large, number of members of both Houses of Parliament, have telegraphed Signer Orlando urging him to stand firm.—Ans.-N./i. t.'tiblti Assn.

DEMONSTRATION'S IN HOME, (l'ec. April 25, 5.50 p.m.) London, April 21. Rome telegrams report a. tremcwloun demonstration iu the city, demanding Finmo and Dalmatia. The Mayor addressed the multitude, and declared that Italy would refuse any diminution of her

national rights. Troops guarded tho Entente Embassies.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (liec. April 20, 1.35 a.m.) Rome, April 21. Signer Orlando's decision lo return was cheered in .the streets o? all tho big cities. Demonstrations and excitement ara universal ns a protest; against President' Wilson's stand.—Eeuter. "FIUME OR DEATH!" (Rec. April 2G, 1.5 a.m.) Rome, April 21. There is intense feeling throughout Italy. Vast demonstrations acclaim Signor Orlando, shouting "Fiume or death!" —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo- Assn. ITALIANS' DEPARTURE POSTPONED Paris, April 21. The Italians have postponed their departure until 8 p.m. Mr. Lloyd George states that tlie Italians are not leaving Paris at present. Signal- Orlando has handed over Italy's interests to Britain and France, paying a tribute to their loyalty. I Later. In consequence of the i representations of M. Clemenceau and Mr. Lloyd George, Signor Orlando has. postponed his departure, which had been fixed for 2 o'clock in the afternoon.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ITALIANS DECIDE TO LEAVE PARIS VIEWS OF THE FRENCH ?RESS. (Rec. April 25, 10.83 p.m.) Paris, April 21. After all-day consideration the Italian delegation has finally decided to adhere to its decision .to leave tho Peace Conference and return to Italy. The French newspapers refuse to regard the situation as insoluble, but support Italy. _ Tho "Petit Parision" says that there is a suspension of pourparlers, not a rupture. The "Matin" declares that the situation is grave owing to the high stato of Italian feeling. The "Echo do Paris" violently attacks President Wilson, and urges Franco to follow Italy's example, declaring that Franco has much to gain by direct action. It states that too many concessions have already been made to President. Wilson's ideology. The "Jmirnal" remarks that Wilson's act is contrary to all diplomatic usages, and says the Italians made the test answer, promising the best results.— Router. (Rec. April .20, 1.5 a.m.) Paris, April 21. Tho newspapers almost unanimously disapprove of President Wilson's untimely manifesto. The "Journal" describes the incident as a crisis, adding, "the bridges are down." Tho "Matin" says: "President Wilson's • action is inexnlicable at the moment when on. his advice the Germans are invited to Versailles. It is equally inexplicable that tho Germans are invited when a serious disagreement is threatening." The Italian delegates have rediscußsed the situation and are drafting a counter-statement.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. April 2G, 1.35 a.m.) Paris, April 21. British Headquarters states that Signor Orlando's departure will not necessarily mean the disruption of the negotiations, because a number of matters of internal politics urgently await his attention in Rome.—United Service.

COUNTER-MANIFESTO BY SIGNOR ORLANDO WILSONIAN PRINCIPLES INAPPLICABLE. (Ree. April 25, 11.5 p.m.) Paris, April. 24. Signor Orlando, in a counter-manifesto, expresses regret at President Wilson using such means of appealing to friendly peoplo, especially when negotiations were at a critical point He deplores the attempt to distinguish the Italian Parlia-. uient from the people. Truth and justico wero not any one person's monopoly. He states that tho Conference more than once nearly failed completely in trying to appl)*- the Wilsonian principles. It was •Unbelievable that anybody could find a 6iuiplo solution of the many complicated problems. The whole of Italy's past and future wero bound up in her Adriatic claims—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,

MEDIATION ATTEMPTED BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE 1 CLAIM TO HUME NOT SUPPORTED BY BRITAIN AND FRANCE. (Rec. April 25, 7.30 p.m.) Paris, April 23. Mr. Keith Murdoch writes regarding President Wilson's statement on tho Adriatic: "president Wilson said on Monday that lie intended to make a statement if the Italians peiuisted in their claims to Fiume. Mr. Lloyd Georgo attempted to mediate, and then advised the Italiaus to abandon their claim in view of President Wilson's unbending opposition. Ho also urged President Wilson to give tinio for negotiations, but President Wilson, without further consultation, distributed a statement assarting that his position was being misunderstood throughout tho world, 'l'ho statement, therefore, v. a«l issued with tho knowledge but without the consent of the Council of Four. Mr. Lloyd George authorised the following statement: "I'lie Treaty of London allotted Fiumo to Croatia, but the Italians occupied it. Britain and France have informed Italy that they do not support her claims to Finnic. They also think: it to be against her best interests to insist upon having the Adriatic. Islands and Dalmatia, though they will abide by the loiter of tho treaty if Italy insists.'"

Mr. Murdoch adds: "Britain and France again begged the Italians to reconsider their attitude. Italy's financial, food, and coal requests being principally addressed to America, give President Wilson additional power.over tho situation."—United Service.

THREE LEADERS MEET AS USUAL. Paris, April 2i. Mr. Lloyd George, M. Clemonceau, and President Wilson met as usual—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. OCCUPATION OFMMTIA AND FIUME INTENDED BY ITALY. Paris, April 21. The Italians intend to occupy Dalmatia and Fiume with 100,000 men immediately. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SEPARATE PEACE~THREATEMED. Paris, April 2t. The Italians threaten to make a separate peace witli Germany.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. AN APPALLING DOCUMENT CRIMES COMMISSION REPORT LONG CATEGORY OF'OUTRAGES. Paris, April 211. The Crimes Commission has furnished a schedule of each of tho tliirty-ono categories of crimes. J.t is ail appalling dccumeut, which incidentally shows the excellence of the Allied spy (system. Tho names of many of tho perpetrators of tho worst crimes, and oven tho signed orders for thoir perpetration, being given. It covers the principal massacres of Belgians, Frmieh, Greeks, and Serbians, and th;j worst cases of submarine sinkings, though it is noteworthy that tho Lusitania is not mentioned.

The document also gives the names of moro than lifty Turks and Germans who woro responsible for tho murdering, by burning, alivo ur drowning, of 200,000 Armenians between li)H and 1918.

It piwe.s that civilians in Belgium and Franco were used to shield German troops, and tens of thousands of civilians wore hanged. The schedule describes a long category of the most horrible crimes and outrages cnmmilted by the Bulgarians, tho bodies of their victims being left to the dogs and pigs to devour. In many villages no woman was spared violation, uftqs under tho most awful circumstances. Of 100.000 Serbians interned, 5U,1K)0 returned broken in health. The document authenticates Hie fact that; tho German-Austrian authorities carried oil' 10 per cent, of the Serbian- female' population during tho yeais 1915-1018. The schedule comprises a, tablo of v-an-ton devastation, ruthless ..slave-driving, tyranny, abaseuiout, and .violations, tho

ill-treaitinent of prisoner?, aud other doscriptioms of frightfuluess.—Aus.-N.55. Cable Aisu. ciiinalTjapan POINTS IN DISPUTE REFERRED TO EXPERTS. (Rec. April 25, 7.30 p.m.) Paris, April 23. The points in disputo between China and Japan have boon referred to a commttteo of experts to endeavour to nrrivo at a solution.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. JAPAN AND MM EQUALITY (Rec. April 26, 1.35 a.m.) Tokio, April 21. A mass meeting of the Lcnaue of Rucial Equality adopted ft resolution that Japan should' not join the League of Nations if racial equality were n?t ndop.ted. •-Reuter.