New-York tribune., 1919-12-31
Ministers Tell Senators
They Are Hopeful That
Coming Conference VIII
Solve Adriatic Problem
Scialoia Outlines Al
Italian Nationality of Dali
malta Will Be Protected,
He Asserts in Chamber

ROME, Dec. 30.--The Senate yoster-
day heard addresses by both Premier
Nitti and Foreign Minister Scialoia,
who gave assurances that nothing had
been compromised concerning the Adri-
attic settlement. Both statesmen de-
clarcd they would go to London and
Paris hopeful Of satisfactory solu-
tion of the question of Fiume. as
both Great Britain and France had
agreed to some changes in Italy's
favor in modification Of the last pro
posals of President Wilson, put for
ward after the rejection of the proposi-
ton made by former Foreign Minister
Tittoni
Neither of the speakers stated spe-
cihcally what President Wilson's pro-
posas were or gsve an idea of what
the possible modifcatic-s might be.
Treaties Not Yet Effective
Signor Scialoia said the treaty of st.
Germain did not become effective
unless ratified BY at least three C tho
Allies. SO far only Italy and Austria
had ratified it. But, he added. even
# the Versailles treaty with Germany
had been ratified by three of the Allies
il was not yet effective, because the
ratiications had not been formally de.
posted However. IN both cases sew
ere! clauses of the treaties already
were being executed. the Allies trust
Zig in the good faith of the contract.
ing parties.
The memorandum handed to him in
London by Premier Clemencaau cf
France, and Mr.. Davis, the American
Ambas sador. Signor Scialoia continued
did not have the value attributed t. it
BY the newspapers. 1t contained ex-
planations OF Secretary Lansings state
ment regarding former Foreign Min
lster Tittoni's proposal. together wi-ii
text Of the Dropo al. Tic memo
question and showed q certain .earinC
toward the American proposal, the For
eign Minister added
Memorandum Qualified
"1his would be grave" Signor Scia
.ola continued, "if verbally they had
not declared TO me that the nle.no-
rssndum did not contain any character
Of pressure to be exercised over Italy,
but must he considered simply as =
means Of reopening the discussion and
not as an attenp. 10 close il. Earl
Curzon OF Kedeston (the British FOR
sian Secretary already had notified
NE of the contents Of the memorandum
told him that | would not accept it,
Earl Cul2on replied that il was not i
question of accepting 1t or not, be-
cause it was aimed exclusively TO give
rs the possibility again to discuss tha
question.
"M Clemenceau and Mr.. Lloyd
George told me that if France, Eng
land and Italy agreed even going be
Yond the terms of President Wilson,
they believed thy could present the
agreement to President Wilson and in
Guce him GO accept it. in the interes t
OF European peace"
.he reproach made against Italy
Sia'nor Scialoia continued, was that she
asked for DainAtia and also Fiun1e,
although Fumo had been aWarGo,i to
Croatia under the terms Of thc Pact
Of London. which would make The pact
contradictory.
Denard for TiuInc Denied
''ln reality said signor Scialola
"there was no contra dictinn. as Italy
has Il treaty with France ard Great
Britain. which unfortunately is no.
recognized by the United States, grant
ing her Dalrlatia. Italy asked fer the
fulfiisnent oi that treaty. but did rot
ask for FiurAe. 1t was Fiume whicl
asked 10 se anne>cd to Italy, Ap.
olause greeted tAe words Of the
speaker"
The object OF Italy said the For
eisn Minister, was twofold- ne pro-
lection oi the Italian nationality Of
eiume and Dalmatia and military de
fehse of the Adriatic. He said ths.
Secretary Lansing proposed neutraii-
zatlon C the Dalmajian islands ana
q u 70
RNgusa, hut dec 'ared this would leave
a part OF tho italian coast exposed -
the same attack as in the late war.
This is intolers 5le!" exclaimed Sig
nor Scialoia. "We DO not want any
protection which allows us to attack au
opposite coast, Of which "+tack there is
no thought but we wisn % he sure
that we cannot be attackcd.'
Premier Ntti began has speech b.,
declaring that the statements cf Sig.
nor Scialoia represented tn, ideas 0
the entire Cabinet. Touching npon the
financial situation. the i'fo1.sr SAL
that r" country es yet hai lad t.le
financial courage of Italy TIE fnan-
eial measures proposed By the Min
lister of the Treasury were The most
severe of any made by European coan-
tries. Indeed he declared. no countrr
yet had presented COMP, te ara con-
crete project for fNe,cial resurrection
The Premier denied tha; the rcla-
lions Of Italy ~,.N the Allies were not
cordial. The excitement of the ,es,
days, luc to the opinions expressed bv
M. Clemenceau, produced justified an
prehension in Italy. he said but he
urged that tho Italians must not exag-
gerate these opinions.
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