The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-04-30

of this wall does not remain open and
that the right Of Italy should be in
terpreted to include the line Of Mont
Nevoso which separates the waters
running towards. the Black Sea and
the Mediterranean. He recalls that
the Latins from the earliest dawn of
Italian history designat ted this noun
tain the italian limit
Without this protection" says the
premier "a dangerous breach in this
admirable barrier of the Alps rup-
turing the unquestionable political,
economic and historical unity Of the
Is.cian peninsula. I contend, further
more, that he who is entitled to the
honor of proving TO the world the
right Of the free determination OF
peoples should recognize this right
for Fiume, an ancient Italian city
which proclaimed it's Italian nature
before the Italian ships arrived-an
admirable example of national con-
science perpetuated throughout CEN
turies.
.'To deny this right only because Of
the small number concerned would
mean the admission that the criterion
of justice toward peoples varies ac-
cording to their territorial extent
Premier Orlando then points out
that Antwerp, Genoa and Rotterdam
are international ports serving as an
outlet to divers people and territor-
les without having to pay for the
privilege BY sacrificing national cpn-
science and continues:
cit is impossible to qualify as OK
cessive the Italian aspirations towards
the Dalmatian coast, Italy's boulevard
throughout centuries which Roman
genius and Venetian activity made
noble and S,'and and whose Italian
character, defining for centuries i'm
placablc prosecutions, still shares the
same thrill Of patriotism with the Ital-
ian people.
The principle proclaimed with ref
erence to Poland that denationaliza-
ton based on violence does not Gre
ate rights; the premier contends
should be applied 10 Dalnlatia.
Passing to the argument of "cold
statistical statements the premier af-
firms that among the national recon
structions occupying the peace con-
ference, mono OF the reconstructed
nations will count within their from
tiers Il relatively slighter number of
persons Of alien race than would bo
attributed 10 Italy and asks why only
Italians should be suspected of iD1-
perialistic cupidity. The history of the
negotiations. he declares. will show
that the Italian delegation acted not
only with firmness, but with a grand
spirit Of conciliation.
He concluded his statement as fol-
lows:
The presidential message ends
with warm declaration Of Ameri-
cas- friendship for italy. l reply in
the name of the Italian people and
proudly claim the right and honor 10
do this as one who in the most trag
ic hour of this war. proclaimed the
cry of resistance at all cost. This CRY
was heard and replied to with cour
age and abnegation. of which there
are few more striking examples in the
worlds history.
Italy, thanks to the most heroic
sacrifices and purest blood of her chill i
dren, was able to ascend from the
abyss Of misfortunes to the radiant
crest of most glorious victory. In the
name, therefore, Of Italy, l express
with all my power the sentiment of
admiration and profound sympathy
which the italian people processes
toward the American people % !