The sun., 1919-09-25
Mi. Wilson'S Responsibility for the
Acute Italian Crisis.

President WILSON must bear large
share Of responsibility for the pres
ent acute crisis in Italy, which has
already forced the italian Foreign
Minister, T1TroNI. to resign and may
force the Nitti Ministry out of office.
NTH undertook the solution of the
problems created by President VIII
SONS refusal to acquiesce in Italian
possession Of Fiume, the refusal
which led to the retirement Of Or
LANDo and turned the Italian people
against President WILSON, whom they
had greeted as a hero when he visited
them In the winter.
Italy's case was desperate when
Austria-HUngary accepted the armis-
tice terms on November 4. Her SOL
diers had, indeed, won a great mill
tary victory over the invaders, but
this success had cost the nation a
high price. Moreover. the economic
situation Of Italy is highly unfavor-
able. The country lacks coal and
iron and does not produce foodstuffs
in sufficient quantity to support the
population. The declaration of war
against Austria Hungary was made
on May %, 1915. When the enemy
capitulated the Italian people had
supported hostilities three years and
six months, and had suffered one ma
jor defeat which seemed too severe
for them to stand. When the Peace
Conference assembled the nation was
anxious about tie future, and revO-
lutionists were active In many Of the
italian cities.
That ORLANDo's demand for Fiume
was made In obedience to the popular
will of Italy every development since
1t was recorded has demonstrated.
President WILSON'S opposition was
first received with incredulity and
then with wrath not merely by the
Ministers but by the populace. There
is ample evidence, in fact, that the
Ministers did not lead but followed
their public. Flume itself asked for
inclusion in Italy, a point In self
determination which Mr.. WILSON
found 1t convenient to ignore
D'ANNUNzIo's occupation of Fiume
consequently Is not a mere adven-
turer's exploit but the act Of a man
obeying the national demand of the
people of his country. In his defiance
of the Nltti Government he unques-
tionably has the sympathy and sup
port Of practically unanimous Italy,
whose population Is gravely disturbed
by Internal economic conditions and
deeply distressed by the veto put on
Its national aspirations by President
WILSON, D'ANNUNzIo may already
have fired the magazine which win
blow the Government to pieces II he
has not done this he stands with
torch over an open powder keg.
The results of the unrest and dis
satisfaction In Italy are not confined
to that country or to the borders of
the Adriatlc. They are felt through
out the Near East and the territories
which were formerly Turkey. 1t Is
difficult to foresee what the ultimate
results of this situation may be, but It
would be folly to ignore the dangers
involved not only for Italy but for
the world.
The facts IN the present crisis were
put before Mr.. WILSON on Wednesday
of last week, and the peace conferees
in Paris are awaiting word from him
as to the course to be pursued. There
is unmistakable evidence that the de-
lay in his decision has created serl-
Gus anxiety in Paris. Each day that
passes without action renders the sit
uation more difficult and extends the
area Of disturbance. Not only may the
italian Ministry fan but the Kingdom
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