Evening star., 1919-12-22
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

All talk of peace in the Balkans to-
lay is predicated on further war to
get it. Instead of diligently taking
Up reconstruction problems which. "
vas natural to expect. particularly
5 year has passed since arms
we're laid down by the enemy. peo-
oles in Rumania. Serbia. JugoslaV1a'
Montenegro. Albania and. even in Bul-
md this because peoples generally
throughout the Balkans consider that
he peace conference in PARIS mas
,ade n miserable mess of their az
airs Instead of bringing about set
ements on bases which they con
,ider Just. Balkan peoples say. the
tatesmrn in Paris have left furtheT
.oopholes for conflict ana. IN SONY
ettlements. have sown seeds me-.
re bound to grow into thlstieS VI
strife.
Allied investigators. who have been
-.atchine the situation in Balkan
1ountries. with their own nalions'
interests naturally. in mind are sehu-
rg alarming reports TO tneis Ell
.rnments Britain. France and Itaiy
oday recognize that the weilare o,
he continent rests in peaceful ana
contented Balkan countries.
People Tired Of Delays
During the long months Of negotia-
ION in Paris the passions or nun
reds of thousands or peopie nave
,een wetted owing to dilatoriness IN
.-attlement of great current questions
.,eIays have been brought about whicn
aave para1yzed economic and sociai
endeavor.
France. Great britain and italy
more and more realize that America
voice is not to be heard in the leag"e
of nations for an indefinite perion.
and if there are not new confiicts
present evil conditions must De ml'i-
gated.
AS a consequence of America s APP
parent Ioathness because of political
circumstances to take her place in
the league of nations on the same
ground with others. these three allled
MOWERS are Planning Immediately 70
take the initiative in the settlement
of the big problems which confront
Europe today, and. not strange TO
say. the most perpleving Issues are
still fostering in southeastern Europe.
> With the formal ratification by three
allied powers and Germany OF tne
treaty of Versailles the league Of
nations will come into being. 1t will
essentially he a European league un-
til the voice of America is heard.
Though it is the opinion of European
powers today that America should
Kermit their continental house to
catch fire again when it may be
within their power to prevent it.
Adriatic Problem First.
One of the first questions that will
he taken up by the European league
of nations will be the Adriatic prob
lem. Great Britain and France un-
doubtedly will meet Italy more than
half way in the settlement of the
Fiume problem. regardless of the
personal desires of President Wilson.
The attitude of France. it seems, has
veered markedly toward espousal of
the Italian claims in the settlement
of the Adriatic embroglio. In brief. it
is said France realizes that friendly
Italy is a protection to France
against the Teutonic menace of which
she still lives in dread. France now
given to the allied cause by Italy.
Operation OF League.
It may be safely stated that when
| the European league of nations be-
gins to operate, Frances vote will be
cast for the settlement of the whole
Adriatic problem along the lines most
recently outlined by Foreign Minis
ter Tittoni. which is declared the alb
solute limit of Italian concessions. 1t
places Fiume under the league of ma
tions. with Italian mandatory. and
places all that territory Of the Istrian
peninsula between Fiume and Trieste
under Italian control.
! England today is trying to make
amends to Italy for the apparent
| GOODNESS of her support or Italy's
proposals in the peace conference. 1t
. is known that the British have ap-
, preached President Wilson respect
! fully suggesting compromise of the
! Italian claims. England has witness
| ed the dangerous reaction in Italy
| against the American President.
j ALLEVIATE the entire nation against
America, and England does not want
Italy antagonistic toward her. Though
regretfully deploring the failure of
/ America to take her place in the league
of nations. there nevertheless has
! been an undisguised note of relief
that the Adriatic problem may, after
/ all, be settled by agreements reached
between the European powers them
! selves.
The British viewpoint generally
held is that Italy and Serbia should
! come to some definite understanding
| between themselves as to the future
of Fiume. a thing which they believe
possible But if such agreement is not
! effected then the whole matter should
who will enter the league of nations
/ in an amicable fashion-in other
words. with the protection Of 1taly's
| sentimental as well as territorial
+; interests.
In the final adjustment it can be
| stated almost definitely that Eng
| lands stand will be one thoroughly
! in accord with Italian aspirations in
| regard to Fiume. though England
may digress when it comes to placing
the coast of Dalmatia into Italian
hands.
Montenegro Knotty Problem.
Though the Fiume situation has
been to the fore in the final adjust
ment Of the affairs Of southeastern
Europe 1t is recognized in Paris and
in London that the Montenegrin prob
lem is extremely dangerous and may
cnnh0-
Both Great Britain and France have
been offlcially informed OF situation
In MonteneEro which Investigators
declare, is little short Of serfdom to
Serbia for the Montenegrin popu1a-
tions.
linterallied commission headed by
Count de Sails. Montenegrins are
being denied self-expressdon by Ser
porate tho one-time little kingdom