Evening star., 1918-11-30
RUSS INTERVENTION
WILL Be ISSUE At
PEACE CONFERENCE
Problems Between Italy and
the Jugo-SIavs Also Expect
ed to Loom Large.

tie attention recently will loom large
in the forthcoming peace conference,
and they are engaging growing inter
est among American officials and allied
government representatives here, who
are closely following the preliminary
discussions concerning peace terms:
They are:
Possibility of friendly interven-
tion in Russia. in support of the. ele-
ment there which stands for an or
derly and stable government. This
element is represented by Russians
now in Washington as being in con-
siderable majority over the bolshevik
elements.
The important part Italy will play
at the peace table, because of the in
creasing counter claims of Italy and
the Jugo-Slav peoples, who win
emerge in the readjustment period
as a newborn nation.
Russ Balkan Issue Sidetracked.
Strangely enough, the Russian and
Balkan problems long ago were
thought to be the paramount issues
at the peace table, but recently they
have been sidetracked in public in
terest at least by the questions relat-
ing to the freedom of the seas and
the proposed league of nations"
So far as can be gathered the at
titude of the United States toward
Russia remains unchanged. and also
States has been foremost among the
associated nations in recognizing the
allied debt to Russia for it's part in
the early stages of the war, and this
country also has tacitly stood for the
principle of allowing the Russians a
wide latitude in determining their
own form of government. This atti-
tude is much the same as that toward
Allied Forces in Russia Welcome.
tives here the feeling has grown, and
Russians now are in Washington who
confirm that feeling. that an allied
force sent into Russia would be well
coined by the large anti-bolshevik
population. supported by it. and would
be within month or SO instrumental
in aiding the best elements of the
Russian people in setting up demo
cratic and responsible government.
1t now seems likely that this view
will be urged upon the peace con-
gress by representatives both OF
Italy and France. who are most
anxious that the signing of peace
toward Russia. which will insure
against further disturbances from
that quarter.
Italy and the Jugo-Slavs.
Jtaly will go to the peace conference
with certain claims which she re.
CARDS as so valid that there will be
no question about them, and with GER
tain other problems which arise from
the growing territorial aspirations
of the Jugo-Slavs.
Briefly, the question to be settled
between Italy and the Jugo-Slavs con-
Germs the eastern coast of the Adri
attic. Italy's right to the Trentino anG
Trieste regions is not disputed. He,
part in the war is recognized in justi.
flying her claims to the irredents
comprised in these regions. In addi
tion Italy has argued that the eastern
| peninsula and Dalmatia were hers or
historical and photographic grounds
| But before the peace conference she
will put forth an additional claim
! for control of the eastern Adriatie
coast. That claim is that this region
! is necessary for her future protection
and the avoidance of other wars.
How Countries May Line Up.
Italy has declared herself in supper,
of the Presidents fourteen peace prin.
| cip1es, and she will be found backine
up the United States in respect to the
| Presidents views on freedom of the
seas and league of nations. Incl.
dentaily, SO far as the league of ma
| tions is concerned, the present line-uI
| seems to be that England and Italy
J W III support the Presidents views
| with France somewhat Indifferent anG
| perhaps opposed. The question of the
| freedom of the seas appears likely to
| largely between England and the
United States. with France inclined to
! Englands view and Italy lending hel
support to the United States.
| But, though Italy is on record fol
the league of nations. the view of ne1
statesmen seems to be that such a
| league is a possibility, but not an as.
sured fact. Therefore, SO far as lel
| own national protection is concerned
| she prefers to make sure of her con.
| troll of the Adriatic, an essential il
she would defend herself against at.
tacks from any source.
New Status Of Adriatic.
Even before the present war the
Adriatic was recognized as a source
of danger. but now with U.boats EN-.
tering into naval strategy. and long.
range guns. which could easily attack
her across the narrow northern Dor.
| tions of the Adriatic only forty miles
wide at one point. she holds that hel
| position in the Adriatic is even more
| vital to her safety.
| Her right to the eastern peninsula
therefore, she holds as something tc
be admitted beyond dispute. and she
will press her claim to tDalmatis- Hel
statesmen believe that by her relin.