The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-11
French Ambassa-
dor Saved Italy
FromUndyingRe-
gret of Having No
Repres nj a tive
Present w h en-
the Peace Terms
Were Handed to
Germans
rrALY's failure to participate in the

TALL . laiuIe W pai uCiphte IN inc
ever memorable ceremony at YER
sailles on Wednesday. when the
representatives OF the victorious En-
,ep,e formally communicated to Count
Brockdorfr- Rantzau and to his fellow
plenipotentiaries the conditions Of
pesce imposed upon the various States
comprised in the former German EN-
pire would have married the occasion
and would have constituted an inef-
iaceable blot upon the pages Of her
history. Her people-those now living
and those Of generations Yet unborn
never would have forgiven her present
Government for her absence from the
scene. They would have accused Pre-
uier orlando and Foreign Minister
sonnino OF having sacrificed Italy's
place in the front rank of the Great
Powers of the world. That place was
won for her in the face of Austria's
strenuous opposition sixty-three years
ago at the Crimean War Peace Con-
ference In Paris by her master states
man, Count Cavour, the father of her
national unity.
These were the chief considerations
that prompted Orlando and Sonnino to
return by special train to Paris Just In
time to be present at the meeting Of
the plenipotentiaries OF the Allies with
the German delegates at Versailles.
We are assured in the most positive
fashion that President Wilson has not
receded from the position which he
adopted with regard to the disposition
Of Fiume, which led to the sensational
withdrawal of Prime Minister Orlando
and Of his colleagues from the Peace
Conference. The President Is Just az
stubborn as ever in his objectApn to the
Incorporation Of this particular seaport
III the dominions Of King Victor EN-
manuel. Consequently. the good Of
fees of Ambassador Thomas Nelson
Page at Rome with the Government to
which he is accredited can have been
Of very little effect.
Dean OF the Cofps.
II is to lie persuasions Of Camille
Barrere, t..e dean of the Diplomatic
Corps at Rome. and for twenty-one
years the Ambassador Of France in
Italy, that must be ascribed the unex-
pected but nevertheless extremely
welcome return of Premier Orlando
and Of Foreign Minister Sonnino to
Paris. Barrere possesses their con-
fdence. and their good viii to an ex-
tent unequalled by any other foreign
statesman or envoy in the Eternal
City. They are bound to him by ties
Of friendship extending over enough
years to constitute a generation. They
know that he has never misled them
or consented TO be a party to any de-
cept!on practlsed upon the nation to
which he Is accredited and whose
good will he enjoys in so rich a meas
ure Consequently they lent an ear
10 the arguments which he employed
and 10 the advice which he pressed
Upon them. He knew that in urging
them TO attend the function and to
participate therein as one Of the So
called Big Five he was serving alike
the cause OF Italy. the cause of his
native France, and the cause of the
whole OF the Entente. For 1taly's
absence from the scene at Versailles
and the omission of her name and
Signature from the document contain
Ing the conditions Of peace handed by
the Allies to the Germans would have
emboldened the latter to demur at the
terms and to delay their acceptance.
They would have been encouraged TO
believe that they might be able 70
negotiate a separate peace with Italy,
Of !ncalculable political. and above
all economic advantage. to their
grandiose projects of reconstruction a
peace which by reason OF It's oeing
favorable TO their aspirations. would
have been proportionately inimical 10
the interests of the Entente.
weaned Italy From Alliance.
Barrere is, as may be gathered from
what have just said. a very remark
able man, far and away the most prh-
liant member OF a diplomatic service
that contains such successful ambas"
sailors as Paul and Jules Camoon'
Stephen Pichon and Jules J. Jusser-
and, and who at Rome repeatedly out
matched that Macchiavelli Of Teuton
Etatecraft. Prince Buelow. IL was
Barrere who first weaned Italy from
her participation In the Triple Alliance
with Germany and Austria, to which
che had been committed by Francesca
CTiCNi urth 10 ~ Vna1Ilt9 IN
her economic welfare and her national
prestige. II was Barrere who man
aged TO convince Italy that France
was her friend. not Germany; who In
The fall Of 1914 caused her to turn a
GEAR ear TO the menacing demands
Followed by more pathetic appeals
from the Kaiser for assistance. Again
When Bernardo Won Buelow came in
the winter and spring Of 1914-1916 TO
rome to induce Italy, since she would
hot Join the two Emperors. at least TO
aohere to policy of strict neutrality,
u was Barrere who frustrated all the
Frinee's intrigues and succeeded in
ee'tihg King Victor Emmanuel and
MS people to throw in their lot with
me Powers OF the Entente in behalf
VI freedom. humanity and civilization.
Sarfere's career has been OF a most
.onantic character. and the man who
now represents his country at Rome
ambassador, laden with every re-
"aro within the gift Of his Govern
aeht' including the Grand Gross OF
.ne Legion Of Honor. first came into
prominence through his being sem
.enced TO death by its tribunals. forty
Even years ago. when he was barely
twenty. My friendship with him dates