The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-04-23

p,ade available as a seaport for the
small nations behind it.
The deadlock in the Italian situa-
ton was declared by some delegates
today to be worse than ever since the
conference between Premier Lloyo
George and Premier Orlando last
night. The Italians are now intimat-
ing they will begin conversations with
the Germans looking toward a separ-
ate peace. They indicated they ex.
pect to obtain coal from Germany and
food from the Ukraine, instead OF
flo mGreat Britain and America.
Japan and China.
by Fred S. Ferguson, United Press
Staff Correspondent
PARIS, April 23.-The big four
was expected to continue today the
discussion OF Japanese claims to
Chinese territory, based on the Sc
cret treaty to which Great Britain,
France. Italy, Russia and Japan were
parties.
Japanese and Chinese representa-
tives presented their respective cases
yesterday afternoon. No official in
formation could be obtained on what
transpired in the meeting. but it was
understood that the United States
has made no recession from its stand
that the pact constituting the foun-
dation of Japan's claims, in common
with all other secret agreements.
was nullified by acceptance of the
armistice terms.
Aside from the stand against rec
ignition of secret treaties. it is
known the majority Of the peace
delegates are inclined to. favor Chi
mas contention that Kiao Chau and
the Shantung peninsula, seized from
Germany by Japan during the war.
should revert to China, inasmuch as
Germany obtained possession OF
them by force.
In British circles it was reported
at the conclusion of yesterdays SEES
sion that the big four expressed a
desire to defer settlement OF the
question until after peace is signed,
the peace treaty merely decreeing
that Germany shall lose her rights
in China From the same sources
it was learned the Chinese delegates
had agreed to consult their govern
ment as to whether this course would
be satisfactory. The Japanese, how
ever, declared that no such sugges-
ton had been made to them" by the
council They further stated that
such plan would be directly OPP,
posed to Japan's demands and that
the Japanese delegation. particularly
the military section, is now firmly
once.
Rumors were in circulation today
that the Italians have begun to show
disposition toward accepting a com
promise OF their Adriatic claims. II
was even limited they would be will.
ing to relinquish a portion Of the
Dalmatian territory they demand in
exchange for an unclouded title to
Fiume. AS Fiume, the principal port
of contention, was not even con
tanned in the pact of London, it was
believed the other allies would not
T, consider such compromise.
Premier Orlando decided not tc
attend the meeting this morning
Admiral Dd Reval left for Italy last
night and General Diaz was SEIZED
uled to depart tonight Orlando and
Foreign Minister Sonnino may pos
sibly accompany Diaz, though, SO far
! as known, this has not been decided
Word reached the Hotel Crillon al
! II a. m. that the Italian representa-
tives were coming to call on Colone
House. The latter was Just leaving
the hotel, however, and was unable
to remain.
Wellington Koo, Chinese represen
tative, is understood to have pointed
out in yesterdays meeting that ia
pans claims are based largely on hel
famous "twenty-one demands" di
rected against China, which he de
] clared are hostile to the allies. Presi
dent Wilson read the text of the de
mands TO the council.