The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-04-26
. SERIOUS PROBLEM

Fiume. held BY the Italians, and which they have expressed
the determination to continue to hold, notwithstanding President
Wilson'S equally determined purpose to make it a free city,
apparently has preeipitated the most serious crisis that has arisen
at the Versailles conference.
The essentially Italian character OF Fiume dates back to the
days Of the Roman empire In the time of Plny the Elder,
during the first fifty years of the first century of the Christian
era, a Roman city called Tarsactica stood on the site of modern
The earliest mention OF this city is made by Pliny himself
IN a list OF the walled towns existing at that time on the coast of
lstria and Liburnia. The city was situated inst where Great
ratnPaTs, provided with watch towers, constructed by Roman
military engineers for the defense of the Alpine frontier, ran
down to the sea along the banks of the Fiumara, a river which
forms the boun:+ty line between Fiume and Croatia.
For many Centuries .Fiume was regarded as forming 4 part
OF lstria. However, Empress Maria Theresa united it and its
immediate surroundings TO Hungary, since which time, with the
Drlet exception OF Croatian rule from l848 to 1867, it has formed
part, as a separate entity, of the kingdom of Hungary, and is
politically divided from IStria, which belonged to Austria.
Under the London pact, entered into by Italy and Great
Britain, it was agreed that Fiume should 60 to Croatia. Per
haps the extent Of the collapse OF Austria Hungary was not
anticipated. Y
The people of Fume, after victory was complete, began to
make a demonstration for annexation to Italy. Like the French
IN Alsace-Lorrarne, they had been quiet for many wears, and
except tor the arrival of the proper time to make a demonstra-
uon tney might have gone their way to the end. They scarcely
had LETT in them the spirit to rebel.
- But when the time for adjustments came the people Of
tiume and the people of Italy, invigoratcd and insured Inv their
deliveranre, began to ask that their wrongs be richtrd soma.
thning that they had never before dared to hope might be accom-
plished.
PRESIDENT Wilson says the menace to Italy has nossed
because OF the fundamental change in Austria. Hurgarv IT,
same thing might be said Of the menace to France, but we hear
u continually affirmed that France is insisting upon assurance
y a se snail nave protection from future designs of Germany
y Is diilcut Tor the Italians to ignore the cry of their
Peope 70 the mother country. The situation is critical and it is
embarrassing: Italy might seriously interfere with the final
settlement of the issues at the peace conference. But Great
britain and the United States can withdraw their support from
Italy and %precipitate a crisis in that country that might result
in revolution. ~
is 1t not a good American expression" asked an Italian
Upon; - : IN M lar's, mat possession is nine points in the lawP
~ + a familiar expression, and a good one, provided the o.o
remaining point rs not stronger than the nine.
~ ts case 1t is evident that the president and J1ovd
leorge must triumph, and that Italy will br hesot ," %o I.loyu
unnIulty at nome II she submits and abroad if she resists
~ Is more easy to understand the dilemma confronting che
4tahap government than it is to find a solution for II 'o