The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-23
FIUME
continued from Page one.l

continued from rage OneJ
to do but put their threat into execu-
tion-or back down completely.
The Italian delegates also failed to
attend the afternoon session of the
big four"
President Wilson's statement has
broken up the peace conference,
member of the Italian delegation de-
clarcd this afternoon.
The delegate said that Premier Or
| lando will leave for Rome tonight or
| tomorrow and that the remainder of
the delegation will go as quickly as
| possible thereafter.
Orlando declined to comment on the
1 presidents statement beyond intimat-
| ing that Italy's response might take
| the form. of some definite action"
| This was interpreted as meaning pos-|
sible withdrawal.
! Threaten Separate Peace.
The Italians, encountering continued
opposition from the allies to their an
| nexationist program, were reported to-
| day to have threatened contamination
| of separate peace with Germany.
When Italy recently presented a vir-
| tual ultimatum, it was limited that if
she actually boited bhe peace confer
| ence, the allies would cut off her cred
now met this implied threat by indi-
! eating that instead of depending upon
| Great Britain and America for sup
plies they will turn to Germany for
| coal and Ukrainia for food.
| Premier Orlando was absent from
| this mornings sessions of the big
/ four" which resumed consideration of
| the rival territorial claims of Japan
| and China. The japanese delegates
/ today denied they are preparing to
withdraw from the conference, saying
! they have reason to believe they will
| obtain their demands for Kiao Chau.
Admiral Di Revel, the Italian naval
1 expert, left for Rome last night. GEN
eral Diaz. COMMUNICATIVE hief of the
i Italian armies, was to follow him to-
| night. 1t was believed possible that
Orlando and Foreign Minister Son
nino might accompany Diaz.
1 Italians Stand Firm.
4 Paris, April 2s.-The Italian dele
serted today its determination to stand
firm on the question of Fiume, indicat-
ing that unless the council changed its
position the delegation would not re-
turn to the conference.
An early settlement of the difficulty
is consequently thought to be improb-
able, especially as President Wilson is
understood to be equally as firm as the
Italian representatives.
Word reached the Hotel Crillon at
IL a. m. that the Italian representa-
tives were coming to call on Colonel
House. The latter was just leaving
the hotel, however, and was unable to
remain.
Won't Go to Versailles.
Rome, April 22.-The Paris CORES
pondent of the Tribuna reported to-
day that the Italian delegates will not
attend the meeting with the German
peace delegates at Versailles.
| The correspondent confirmed the
failure of yesterdays (Mondays)
conversations" and characterized the
situation as grave
The Corriere D'Italia'S representa-
tive in Paris said that while reports
or 1talyS withdrawal from the peace
conference are authoritatively denied
a rupture is probable in the SENSE
that italy is no longer in agreement
, with the other allies"
Struggle Becoming More Bitter.
THE Adriatic is far from being Ttal-
ian, said the Epoca correspondent
The resistance against Italian claims
grows. The struggle daily becomes
more bitter''
The Gironale DItalia CORRESPONDENT
wired; The allies erred in believing
they could amputate Italy1s program
TO a minimum of our national asDira-
tions- We do not know whether this
error can be corrected, but whatever
!, happens Italy's victory will not be
crippled. The territories conquered
, by our armies will remain Italian
whether an agreement is reached with
our allies or not''
| Oriental Claims Up Again.
: Paris. April 2s.-The big four" was
expected to continue today the discus
sion of Japanese claims to- Chinese
territory, based on the secret treaty to
| which Great Britain, France Italy,
Russia and Japan were parties.
Premier Orlando decided not to at
tend the meeting this morning Adj
miral Di Reyal left for Italy last night
and General Diaz was scheduled to
depart tonight. Orlando and Foreign
Minister Sonnino may possibly accom-
pany Diaz,, tho. so far as known, this
has not been decided.
japanese and Chinese representa-
tives presented their respective cases
yesterday afternoon. No official in
formation could be obtained on what
TRANSFERRED in the meeting but it was
understood that the United States has
made no recession from its stand that
the pact constituting the foundation
of Japan's claims. in common with all
other secret agreements. was nullified
by acceptance of the armistice terms.
Delegates Favor China
: Aside from the stand against recog-
milton of secret treaties, it is known
the majority of the peace delegates
are inclined to favor China's conten-
ton that Kiao Chau and the Shantups
peninsula seized from Germany by
Japan during the war should revert to
i China, inasmuch as Germany obtained
possession of them by force
In British circles it was reported al
4 the conclusion of yesterdays session
& that the big four expressed a desire
to defer settlement of the question un.
til 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