Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-02
DA[MAT|A ANNEXATION
] OPPOSED BY HISTORIAN
fciTcro Indicates SlavS Should
Have City Instead OF Italian
Peoples.
WOULD BE JUSTICE TO NATION
Taking OF Territory Might Bring
Further Disturbances for Central
EurOpe-W0uId Not Permit Per-
sccution OF Any Inhabitants.
by GuGiII:ISfO rEu,EI,U.
The Famous italian lIfsfOrtun.

StCutlOn OF ANY InnuDltantS.
by GuGLIHi NO TEunEno.
The Famous italian Historian.
ROME, March l.--Thcre can be no
doubt that the Dalamatian question
End land defense. Naval defense would
be greatly facilitated by annexation OF
i,almata. fact which explains why
tho most enthusiastic advocates of am
ne%ation are TO be found in the navy.
on the other hand. i Is also clear
greatly complicate the defense Of
ltaiy's land frontiers and this. in turn,
explains why the army is much NOR.
iukewarm than the navy in advocating
The annexation OF Daimatia and even
!umbers many rcsolute opponents OF
SCch policy.
IT may also he said that Il Da.matin
can no longer be termed an italian
country: since the national conscious
ness of the SlavS has come 20 life
"sain. this awakening is "a very recon
matter. Fifty years ago Dalmatia
could still be called an Italian coun-
1t liz. however. very difficult 70 fore
rec what would happen should Italy
annex Dnimatia, II might Well, be, a.
TIC opponents Of annexation propheSy :.
that the Siav sentiments OF the ma
Iqrity would develop int, an irrecon
hcNation would prove 70 be terrible
calamity. for Italy. JuEo-Slavia and
Europe in general. II might also hap
pen, especially if the country were
wisely governed, that the national
movement would work am!cafiv win
the new regime and the higher Italian
ncyree OF culture would unit. the
whole country.
ISELISES TO PARTY
OPPOSING ANNEXATION
While !; Is by no means easy 10 DC
c!de between the arguments OF the twD
parties. l incline 10 the party which
opposes annexation. aud this more ca
p"cially for one rcaSon-thc rcnunci:.-
;ion or Dai!nat!a IS necessary If there
-,gls ID, II
ing.
IL cannot be denied that the posi-
ton. OF tho Slavs with regard 20 Dali
malta Is tho same as that of the l:al-
ians with regard to Istria. lust as in
istria statistics. historic right ana the
principle OF geographical unity wcr. in
favor OF Italy. SO in the case 81 Dal-
malta they arc in favor OF the Slavs
They arc In the majority, they are tho
masters OF the house, the first Corners
,hcy can invoke in their own favor the
principle of geographic and economic
un,ty, since II cannos be, questioned
that Dalnlatia is moro closely CON
Italy.
The application OF the doctrine Of
nationality by virtue Of which We claim
the Bremen and lstria for italy is In
ne case Of Dalmatia IN favor of the
be no doubt that the annexation Of
I1almatia would involve great dihicrl-
ties with the new Jugo-Slav state. II
would not 20 so far as the opponents
Of annexation who predict another and
terrible wary within a few years
The future may have many sur
between states OF nations But after
such long and appalling war. il is
surely a matter OF the cvnmonist pru-
dencc not 70 multipiy the causes Of
future conflicts. The world war has
made the Adriatic AN Ita!ian-Slav sea.
and has shut out the Germans who
way over H. thanks 10 tho Cuarrels
and weakness OF the two races iiv-
ing Oh its shores
MUST NOT he SOURCE
or FUTURE: DISTURBANCE
This great result OF the war must
not hccoinc the source OF fresh disputes
between the two races which are its
rightful owners rhc annexation OF
Dalmatia by Italy would be a dan
Scrous weapon in the hands of the
Germans. means Of sowing discord
means OF such disputes of opening for
themselves road 10 the shores OF the
hdriatic.
Beyond all questions Of merely ma
tional interest We must remember TO
keep in view during the peace ncgo-
,iaiions III" supreme interests OF wes-
torn civilization. which might be
doomed TO irrcparablc ruin by any
violent resumption OF national conflicts.
In the name Of this higher interest
the Siavs must sacrifice those OF their
counjrymcn who will pass under the
Italian rule in Istria and Fiume, and
in the name Of the same great interest
italy must sacrifice Italians who will
have to live under Slav government
in Dalmatia
For the sake OF this supreme In
tcrcst, Italy and JuGo-Siavia must
! pledge themselves 10 a scrupulous re-
spcct or the national rights OF the
i Slavs and Italians who will be handed
over TO the government Of the other
race. The Slays would have every right
10 rebel If italy violated the national
sentiment Of the Slav population OF
the rural districts of Trieste and Cor
sica. while on the same grounds Italy
could not allow city as Italian as
cara to be Inundated and prosecuted
y and thus bear the brunt of the sacri-
lice made by the mother country In
the interests OF peace and concord OF