Omaha daily bee., 1919-04-25
B R AVE AR MY
READY TO SEIZE
DISPUTED COAST

1 NUAsAAAuSW AhvAAA = ~ O-s~'
that part of Dalmatia and other Ad-
| ratio territory named in the pact OF
| London with about 100000 men, it
was stated today by Captain Pozzi
of Orlando's staff. A similar force,
the captain added would be sent to
tn. northern region and around
Fiume.,
Premier Orlando's course in the
| meantime, Captain Pozzi says, would
be to convoke parliament in special
session and secure from that body
the passage of a measure providing
for the annexation of the Daimatian
and other eastern Adriatic territory
given to Italy by the London agree
ment, and also of Fiume.
Reports have been received, the
captain added, that a military DEM
onstration by the Jugo-Slavs at Spal-
alto was contemplated, in which event
the Italians would take proper coun-
ter measures.
The situation in Fiume is compli-
Gated by the fact that the town as the
headquarters of the allied army of
| the Orient contains French and Brit
ish, as we'll as Italian troops. A
one7sided Italian occupation of
FYume, it is believed, would imme-
diately provoke a diplomatic and
military issue with the European al
lies.
May Approach Germany.
1t was stated in Italian quarters
today that should the break become
definite Italy would take steps to
approach Germany with view, to
| making a separate peace.
At Italian headquarters the an
nouncement was made that the par
lament of Italy would meet ilnme-
diately upon Premier Orlando's re-
turn, probably in day or two. Pre-
liminary instructions have been al
ready telegraphed to Rome.
The Adriatic question was taken
up when Premier Orlando again at
tended the meeting of the council of
four this afternoon. The other men,
bers of the council. Premiers Glenn
enceau and Lloyd George and Pies
ident Wilson, also were present.
Premier Lloyd George arranged
for President Wilson and Premier
Clemenceau to meet Premier Orlan-
do and Foreign Minister Sonnino at
the British premier's residence at 4
o'clock.
Premier Orlando, and the other
members of the Italian delegation
apparently are much angrier over
President Wilson's worldwide pub
LEGATION of his position on the Adri-
attic question than over his opposi-
ton to their claims and the fact
that diplomatic procedure has been
violated and what is termed an in
suit offered to the Italian govern
ment because the president made his
position known to the Italian peo-
! pie over the head of the peace dele
cation.
Plume or Nothing"
Discussing this contention to-
day, member of the American
peace delegation said:
"'Fiume or nothing has been the
Italian delegations unalterable
formula for nearly eight weeks, ant
their firm insistence upon the set
Element of the Adriatic question!
before an agreement upon tn.
peace terms forced President Viii
son to tell the world where HI
stands.
This statement was more for thu
American public than for the Italian
public and it should not leave any
one in the dark as to the American
position on secret agreements"
The effort of the Europeans t
invoke the rules of diplomatic proce
dure and the conflicting statements
clouded in obscurity, have beer
noted by the American delegates
and correspondents who are en-
deavoring to obtain the actua
facts. The professions of surpris'
by the Italians of President Viii
sons statements are amazing to thu
correspondents, who have positive
knowledge that the statement wa
submitted to Premier Orlando sew
: eral days before its publication ant
that he sought advice about draft
ing a reply.