The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-18
Orlando, Backed by His
Country, Puts Pressure
on the Allies.
WILL REFUSE TO SIGN
Decision Necessary in Eight
Days or Negotiations
Will Be Useless.
PLEDGED TO JOINT PEACE
United States, Not Being a
Signatory, Thus Left Out
Of the Reckoning. l.
PLEDGED TO JOINT PEACE
BY LAURENCE HILLS.
Stof Correspondent Of TIE srN

Stof Correspondent Of THE Sen -
Copyright, 1918: all rights reserved
PARIS. April 17.-There seems no
doubt now that the Italians are really
in earnest when they threaten drastic
action unless Fiume Is conceded to
them.
The Italian plan is not to withdraw
from the conference. but If PresideQt
Wilson's decision is unsatisfactory
TO call together the signatories Of the
London declaration under which the
four Powers bound themseles not to
make separate peace without the
consent Of all, and formally notify
them Of her refusal to sign the treaty.
She would ignore America as not
being a party to the declaration.
This is why Premiers Lloyd George
and Clemenceau want President Will
son to satisfy the Italians in some
way. Various plans have been worked
out, including two by Colonel House;
but these have been turned down.
A settlement must be made within
the next eight days or Italy will
prevent her allies from signing the
treaty.
Telegrams from Italy show that
this policy has the solid support of
the country.
1t was admitted to-day that II may
be the 2Sth Of April before the Germans
will actually see the treaty, although
they will arrive on the 25th. Two days
are likely to be taken up with explana.
tions, and there is sure to be week
Of debate at Weimar. The succeeding
period will be most interesting az
showing German policy.
Wilson Has a Busy Day.
In the meantime the President IL
busy Cleaning up" He had sixteen
appointments to-day, some with lost
tribes like the Chaldeans. who seek
self-determination.
With agreement reached in the
Council Of Four emphasis is now
being laid in American circles upon
the need Of maintaining solid dip
lOmatic front against the Germans.
The Big -Four would like all criti.
cism withheld as giving encourage.
ment TO the Germans. Yet the allied
peoples will have no way of knowing
what the treaty Is like until the Ger
mans get it, TO many this seems like
n travesty of "open covenants"
A high American authority says the
assurances given TO France by the
United States are not contained In
the treaty. and must remain secret
for the time being. One suggestion
that the President might try to com
bine the idea in some such form as
the Monroe clause in the League pact
is exciting much speculation, as the
limitations Of the President are re-
allied.
The Temps refers TO Mr.. Lloyd
Georges allusion to French guaran.
''c> anu HhsS 'ilts van ilthH OllS one
thing; that Great Britain and Amer
lea have solemnly engaged themselves
TO protect France in the event OF an
other German attack
A plenary session of the conference
Is to be held next Wednesday and
Thursday to receive all reports IN
Guiding the one on the league cove
nant.
Nnnsen's Plan Approved,
President Wilson, on behalf of the
Big Four has written n letter to
Fridtjof Nansen, approving his plan
for feeding the Russians on humani
tartan grounds only by commission
! of northern neutrals. and to he
financed by the Russian people them
! selves under the Big Four's approval
on conditions that the Russians under
/ take distribution and for this purpose
suspend hostilities,
The plan presents, in the opinion o.
many, Il new bolster for Ienine, vel
President Wilson and Premier Lloyd
George are known to believe that 81
will help restore Russia TO sanity. j.
represents the only plan the assoc
ated Powers have decided upon for
the present, outside of their promise
10 help the buffer States rcpulse Boil
shevik armies