Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-18
INTEREST KEYED Up
IN jUGO-SLAV ISSUE
President Sympathizes With
italian Claims, Press Dis
patches Say.
FOR EARLY SETTLEMENT

Interest already high in the italian
Jugo-Slav differences, concerning which
the Jugo-Slavs already have made two
protests to the State Department here,
was keyed up further today with news
in Associated Press dispatches that
President Wilson "feels the warmest
sympathy" for Italian claims, and that
he has outlined to Count Maechi di
Cellere the extent to which he would
support them.
The conference between the Presi-
dent and the ambassador explains the
absence of response to wireless in
in which instructions were asked
about the steps to be taken In re-
sponse to the Jugo-Slav protests. 1t
is apparent that the question IS TO De
handled by the peace conference dele
gates rather than through usual olp-
lomatic channels.
May Be Settled First.
In view of the tense feeling between
the Jugo-Slav population along the
eastern Adriatic and the Italian armies
Oh OCCupAllOlk IL Nv" - NApSSsSN ~H~.~~
the Juso-Slav BOUNDARIES will be one
OF the early questions considered at
the conferences. The fear is expressed
that outbreaks may occur before the
conferees reach decision.
In forrns lily the Italians hold that
cause, under terms Of the armistice,
they occupy territory which contains
large numbers of Croats and Slo-
venes who fought with the Austrians,
but who are now ahl1atlng with the
new Jugo-Slav state and demand to
be treated as allies. Jugo-Slavs put
in the counter claim that the Italians
are using their forces to compe! Jugo-
Slav sympathizers to declare Tor the
Italian claims. and that the Italians
are Withholding food In order TO COM
pei such declarations.
Base Of Ita1y's Claim.
Legally Italy bases her claims on
the much discussed treaty OF London,
made just before she entered the war.
She furthermore holds that certain
portions of the eastern Adriattc coast
are hers for historical reasons. and
should be hers for the purposes OF
self-protection. Jugo-Slav writer's con-
tend that in modern naval operations
the attacking force always has been
able to seize the Dalmatian coast,
one of the 'contended areas, showing
tnaC INo HOtulu6 u DoAAosSAe] Ae@o AAS
military value for Italy.
The minimum Italian claims along
the Adriatic are difficult to define. be-
cause the italians have expressed a
willingness to relinquish portions OF
their claims. but have not indicated
publicly the extent of such relin-
quishment.
What Jugo Slavs Demand.
MI. I,ooSlavs have clearly defined
the exact territorial area which they
wish included in the new Jugo-Slav
state. The 1ugo-Slav ambition is to
unite with Serbia and Montenegro the
following provinces: Dalmatla and
islands, Bosnia Croatia,
Fiume, Istria and the Quarnero Is
lands, Trieste. Gorilla, Carniola, Sty-
ria and Carinthis, South Hungary and
portions of the land between the
brave and Muir rivers. The popula-
ton within this territory exceeds TO-
o0o, 900 Inhabitants and it would elimi-
nate Italy from any foothold on the
eastern coast of the Adriatic.
The maximum Italian claims in
clude Istria, islands of Croatia, parts
of Dalmatia and the region about Va
Iona. which is opposite Brindisi. at the
straits comprising the entrance to the
Adriatic.
Italians Among Slavs.
Exclusive of Serbia and Montenegro,
in which, of course, Italian residents
are negligible, the total Italian popu-
lation Of the 10000, 900 or more slavs
within the extent of the proposed
Jugo-Slav state, according to the Jugo-
Slav figures. includes 1923 Italians in
Dalmatia and the islands along her
coast, 24,212 in Fiume, 147,417 in
Istria, 1889 in Trieste and 90,119
in the Gorilla region.
Foremost among the Italian claims
is that to Trieste, which it is practi-
cally assured the peace conference
will sustain. The principal contention
centers about the portions of the east
Adriatic coast south Of Istria.