The Washington herald., 1919-04-26
ITALYS ARMY
. OF 100000 IS
READY FOR WAR
Jugo-Slayic Force of ESQ.,
: 600 to 400,0 900 Proved
In Recent Warfare.
TROOPS OCCUPY FIUME
Taft and Senate Leaders
Soidly Behind Presi-
dent in His Stand.

The State Department announced
yesterday that it had received from
Ambassador Page in Italy a cable
message reporting the riotous scenes
/ in Rome caused by the announced
| withdrawal of the Italian delegates
from the Peace Conference and Pres
ident Wilson's stand on the Fiume !
question. The message was not
made public.
Feeling in official circles indicated
the belief that Italy would not go
the limit on her threat to withdraw,
despite alarming reports from both
Paris and Italy. 1t was suggested
| that sober second thought would
reconcile the Italian people and their
government to the benefits of con-
tinued peace, together with the coal.
food and shipment of supplies daily
sent from the United States, rather
! than maintain an obdurate stand.
which possibly would lead to war.
! wnr Danger Admitted.
! There was no attempt to minimize.
however, the possible danger Of war.
/ especially in view of the fact that
Italy now has 2,50O,000 under arms.
and that the fiery temper of her
people in the present moment OF
nationaIistic exhaltation might lead
to serious consequences.
Opposed to Italy's forces would
only be between 250.000 and 100000
! Jugo-Slavian troops. although this
army is one skilled in warfare in
/ the country which wowuld be the
/ theatcr of such conflict as Is fore-
seen as a possibility.
Confirmation of reports that Italy
| had sent thousands of soldiers INTO
Fiume were obtained yesterday.
while letters received from that city
bore italian stamps. showing that
Italy haz been in complete posses
sion for some time.
Country support Claimed.
support by former President Tart
end Senatorial leaders OF PRESIDENT
Wilson's dramatic stand against
territorial anneations by ltaly con
yinced oficials here yesterday that
America is behind the PresloehI III
his fight at Paris.
uis Eiume statement. followed by
oHicial announcement of the Presi-
uent's positive and unquaIineo
deniaJ' of reports of a secret ue-
, fensfye alliance. were pointed 10
nv officials as indications that the
Presidents stand on secret treatlcs
will persist to the end. :,
Relief was strong that Italy ana
Jaran may join forces in the con-
fcrcnce in view Of the similarity OF
their rinterests-bOth based on secret
! engaEemcnts entered into durlhS
OeiciaIs arc certain. however, that
| the President will assume the same
attitude toward the japanese claims
! in hina as he has toward the ltaiiah
| Adriatic objectiyes, if it comes 10
J showdown.
Think They're Ignored.
Both Italy and Japan feed that they
have been ignored in the Peace Con-
ference. according to diplomats here.
Both have counted strongly on sun
| mort of Great Britain particularly
! The grievances of both now date back
to other occasions when they felt
| thew were Disseminated against.
It was declared yesterday that ltaly
has always felt her colonial progress
in Africa has been limited by other
powers. Her spokesmcn here pointed
| to Italys failure in 1899 to obtain ter
ritorial concessions in China, though
| similar demands were granted Ger
many, Great Britain. France and Rus
| sia.
japan and Italy were both losers III
| China in the sos, Japan being COM
PEELED by the powers to withdraw from
| the Liao-Tung Peninsula after her VIC
| torious war with China.
Might Join Cause.
! As a result of the pique OF both
! powers today it would not cause sur
prise in official and diplomatic quar-
/ ters here If they joined causes at the
Peace Conference henceforth.
! Ambassador Page will remain at his
post in Italy until the international
| situation is cleared up, it was stated
definitely here. p age is known to have
planned to return to this country this
spring, but until he can leave his post
with the assurance that the tension
of the italian situation is relieved he
will remain at Rome. officials said.