The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-24
COMES
AS A SHOCK TO
ITALIAN ENJOYS
Premier Orders L. s. Prop
erty in Italy Protected
From Probable MObs.
MAY REPLY BY ACTION"
People Back Claim for Fiume
and Rome Will Stand Firm,
Is Assertion.
BY a StdG Correspondent o! Tag SrN.
Copyright, 1919 all rights reserred.

| q y.
Copvro1t, 1919; all rights reserred.
PARIS. April 23.-"I do not know
how I shall reply-it may be by ac-
ton"
This was Premier Orlando's an.
swer to the remarkable statement is.
sued to-day by President Wilson in
regard to Italy's claims to Adriatc
territory before the Peace Conference
! 1t implies that the Italians may
leave the Peace Conference at any
moment. 1t was learned later that
Premier Orlando had ordered n spe-
cial train TO be ready to leave to-mor-
row for Rome and also had sent or
ders to Italy that American property
there must be guarded against posi-
bility Of damage by mobs.
There are no American troops in
Italy now. but there are many Red
Cross workers. 1t is said that Pre-
mier Orlando intended TO leave yes
terday. but received a request from
Premier Lloyd George to stay another
day, and did so under the impression
that this meant another offer TO
Italy. One of the Italian attaches,
who represented the navy. has left.
and another. who represents the
army. goes tonight
President wilson's statement re-
jectlng the claims of the Italians
came like bombshell in n secret
session which was being held by the
five Italian delegates in the H0lel
Edward VII. this afternoon and pro.
vOked an outbreak of rage Ind resent.
menl. The news was brought by
American. newspaper correspondents
who sent copy of The President
statement to the Italian delegates
Both Premier Orlando and Baron
Sonnino were present.
Orlando Seems shocked.
/. How unexpected the news was /,
shown by the fact that the delegates
at that moment We're discussing Q
compromise proposal from Premier
Lloyd George upon the Dalmatiar
question. No effort was made to con
ceal the indignation which the Pree
dents action provoked. He think
, he is god" was the muttered com
r ment Of one Italian officer. who
, added that the publication of tn,
| statement in Italy would mean tha
Z Italian troops would have to be called
, out TO protect Americans agains
popular indignation.
D Premier Orlando and Barol
: Sonnino were impressed by the ex
= treme gravity Of the situation The.
I seemed shocked by sucl methods an,
= asked in dazed way of the CORE
s spondent who brought them the news
e rs this American shirtsleeve di
S plomacy?" adding, we never hav
e heard of such 4 thing" Later Pre-
J. mier Orlando sent word that he prob
e ably would have statement TO max
e later, but nothing could be done unit
President Wilson's statement ha
d been translated into Italian.
Believe President Mistaken.
. The opinion is expressed by italian
a here that II President Wilson believe
A that by his unprecedented appeal {
a the italian people over the heads @
.r their Government he can force tn
Italian delegation 10 renounce II
claims he is greatly mistaken.
If he has been misled by the cheer
! ing that greeted his progress throug
Italy in January he will be dsill,
stoned. for the italian people. they a.
sert, will back up fully and enthusia!
u tically the claims advanced for Ital.
Moreover, the Italians are not SUI
that President Wilson's statement r
fleets American opinion as fully 6
their demand for Fiume reflects Ita
Ian opinion. It Is contended that d
nial OF Fiume to the Italians confiic
with the fourteen points, on whic
supposedly the United States based i
peace terms. since Fiume wants TO |
Italian.
The more the Italians discussed Il
situation the angrier they became. u
til finally one of the army officers sa
bluntly: Whatever Wilson says. Its
ian troops are in Fiume and Dalm
tia. We are there, and there we W
J stay"