The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-01-02
CLAIMS
lRE CHALLENGE
TO WILSON? CLAIM

! Paris, Dec. 31.-Paris begins to ask
II President Wilson on his visit to
Italy will be able to SO present the
principles for which he stands as to
| check the growing desire OF Italy for
| territorial gains.
mo annexations" and self deter
mination' go by the board in Italy's
new demands.
The return Of Italia Irredenta and
the making of Trieste, on the eastern
shore OF the Adriatic an Italian port.
have been anticipated in discussions
Of the settlement with Italy.
But revelation Of a secret agree
ment among the European allies in
1918 that Italy should have the great
err part OF tn e Dalmatian coast
brought vigorous protest from Jugo-
Slavs.
Now claim to all Of the east coast
Of the Adriatic and to control over
Albania as well promises to raise one
of the major problems Of the peace
congress.
Italtzn representatives have said
that they would concede to Jugo-
S1avia ports on the Adriatic coast.
Control Of Albania would make Italy
supreme in the Adriatic and offer
base for the future domination OF the
Balkans, both politically and economl-
cally.
Italy has occupied 100000 square
miles of Albania, including the port
of Avalona, which, as an Italian nav1.
base, would make her master Of the
Adrtatic.
Albanian rule has been almost an
archie, though the country has sent
forth men who have made their mark
as statesmen in other lands, among
fhapo CriSni the italian
statesman.
In that portion OF the country oc-
cupied by the French, a republic was,
set up, the republic OF Koritza, but it
seems not to have survived the end AOf
the war. In the section occupied by
Italy, rule has been by the army of
occupation, with civil government
delegated in part to local authorities.
Italians take credit for what Gull
ture there is in Albania. but Italian
culture is confined to the coast regions
and to reconcile the entire country to
italian rule apears a difficult task.
Italy sees in annexation of Albania
to the Jugo- Slav state a perpetual
menace to her. The Italians further
emphasize the race hatred that has
existed between A1banians and Serbs,
made stronger by religious differ
ences.
Now that Italy's claims are known,
Greece, whose desires at the peace
conference have scarcely been heard.
may be expected to speak.
Annexation of the southern part of
Albania to Greece has been one of the
suggested solutions Of the A1banisn
problem II the north country goes to
Jr;go-S1avia- There are many native
Greeks in southern Albania, and there
are CULTURAL and reli1iouS ties for a
large part Of the population.
Albania proper covers about 1900
square miles, and has a population Of
close to a million.
Dalmatia has a population but per
cent italian. 1t is peopled almost SOL
idly by Croats. whom the Italians de-
clare were their Interest enemies in
the Austrian army.
Italians claim that the De1matian
peninsula was Italian until colonized
by Austria, and that it is no more
right to permit enemies of Italy to
dominate the eastern shore of the
Adriatic than it would be to deprive
France of Alsace and Lorraine be-
cause Of the German influx into this
once wholly French territory.
Dalmatia has an area Of nearly 5000
square miles, and had a population
before the war Of more than $4,000.
This is in accord with President
Wilson's principle that each nation
should have access to the sea. But
access to the sea will not satisfy Jugo-
Slavs il they lose Dalmatia and Al
bania, and. unless Italians can be led
to curb their desire for territorial
gains and come to agreement with the
new republic, the makings Of a fu-
ture war will remain.