The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-04-16
(RY John Edwin Neyin !


Paris, April 1G.-IN. S.)-Premier
| Orlando, of Italy, is discussing the
Adriatic claims with President Will
| son, told the latter that the situation
in Italy is such that his governmen Mt
would be overturned Immediately un-
less Italy gets FiUme. The present
government at Rome would be sue
ceeded by one which would make the
cession of Fiume it's chief policy, ac-
cording to Premier Orlando.
The Italians are standing firm on
the pact of London, and are demand
ing that the British keep the pledges
made in that document.
1t is reported that the Italians will
ask permission to retire from the con-
ference and make their own peace
with Austria if the allies and the as
sociated powers vote down the do
mand for Fiume. However, it is ex-
planned that this action would be
taken with the greatest reluctance.
Situation Complicated.
The Adriatic situation is rapidly
becoming as complicated as the
French Rhine claims. Every effort at
settlement has met with failure SO
far, it is understood, The Italians ana
greatly worked up over. the opposiI
tion to their claims.
The campaign waged by Baron
Sonnino, the italian foreign minister.
has had the strongest results in SOL
idifying the Italians against any
compromise on the question of Fiume.
The Italian delegates question the
accuracy of reports made by Amer
1Pan nXnerfS xx,h-
that Fiume should be given to Jugo-
Slavia because of the preponderance
of Slavic population in that port.
Population Italian.
1t Is claimed by the Italians that
the population of Fiume has always
been Overwhelming Italian. 1t is
understood that Premier Orlando ex-
planned to President Wilson that Italy
would not agree to any disposition
Of the question unless it gave them
the port in dispute. An appeal has
been lodged with President Wilson
by the Italians to secure new analy-
sis of the problem by the American
experts who were senti nto Southern
Europe to study 1t originally. The
president is expected to do so.
Outline of Proposition.
The Italian position. as outlined 70
the International News Service, is as
follows:
Italy simply cannot agree that
there is the slightest justice in tho
claims of the Juso- -Slavs TO Fiume. It
Is sacred Italian soil and should be
granted automatically to Italy under
the presidents principle covering
elf-determination Should the allies
and the associated powers vote down
the Italian claims. Italy would re-
luctantly be compelled to request per-
mission to withdraw from the con-
ference and settle with Austria inde-
pendently.
However. the Italians are ready
TO agree with the allied program so
far is it relates to Germany"
Arrangements are being completed
for the meeting with the German
delegates at Versailles on or about
April 25. The German envoys will be
lodged at Versailles and will be given
an opportunity of communicating
freely with their home government.
Should they insist upon returning 10
present the terms to the national as
sembly, this will be granted. but the
allies will insist that all possible
speed be made.
Plans All Laid.
Whether or not the Germans Will
sign is, Of course. not definitely
known. However. it is understood !
that the big four have considered all !
the possibilities Of such a develop |
ment and have their plans made to !
meet such a contingency.
1t is believed that as soon as the |
treaty is explained to the Germans, |
they will be given a week to consider /,
Il, but they must sign without anv |
argument or else refuse. In order 20 /,
expedite a decision the text will be |
in four anguages-English. !
French, italian and German. The |
disrnan-ling of the German |
naval base at Heligoland. has been |
agreed upon by the big four. This 1
iccision was reached following the !
submission Of a report by allied naval
,xperts. including Admiral Benson.
T. s N