The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-22
THREAT FROM ITALY
ALARMS DIPLOMATS
Withdrawal From Peace Coun-
Gil Would Embarrass Nego-
tiations Seriously.
SECRET WORK CHARGED
Wilson's Proposal to Award
Fiume to Jugo-Slavs Brings
Vigorous Protest.
Sreciai pnspatcA TO TIE srx.

WARRINGTON, March 81. Italy's
threat to withdraw from the Peace Con-
ference is taken seriously by diplomats
a blum but a genuine maturely consid-
cred decision of the italian Government
The direct clash of views in this case
Is between President Wilson, who ad-
mittedly is dominating the conference.
and Premier Orlando, who asserts that
right and justice and the principle of
self determination are so unquestionably
on Italy's side in this case that to yield
would be indefensible to the Italian peo-
pie and to the people Of Fiume who are
appealing TO join italy.
Something of a sensation has been
caused in diplomatic circles by hints
that Italy II she withdraws from the
conference will issue statement setting
forth the reason why she understands
Fiume Is being withheld. This reason,
which the Italians contend has been
fostered by secret diplomacy In Paris, Is
described as connected with the same
reasons which held the United States
back from declaring war on Austria
Hungary for months, and which was re-
sponsible for Article X of the Presi-
dents fourteen points, which Is as fol-
lows:
The peoples of AustrIa-Hungary,
whose place among the nations we
wish to see ssfeguarded and assured,
should be accorded the freest oppor-
tunity of autonomous development"
scret Interests at Work.
There would appear to be no connec-
ton between this article and the situa-
ton as II exists to-day, but the Italians
assert that the same powerful secret
interests which were working against
Italy at that time are still at work.
They say this work has found a fertile
field because OF the secrecy Of the star
chamber proceedings in Paris. They
regard the time as having come to force
the issue regardless of consequences and
to ascertain whether the Presidents
announced principles are to prevail.
Naturally the italian viewpoint must
be considered in the light OF the stress
under which Italy Is now laboring. But
the fear here Is that the impasse may
result not only in Italy's withdrawal,
but diplomatic confiagration in Paris
which will damage beyond repair any
hope of Cancellation between American
and italian delegates and thereby null
lily all the constructive work achieved
through the unity of the big Ave"
Powers intrusted with the making OF
peace.
Italy Firm in It's stand.
There Is no room for doubt that
President Wilson sincerely believes that
he is justified In not allowing Fiume to
Italy, but the reason for this is not
given, and this. with the secrecy Of the
proceedings, has added fuel to the fire.
No one here can imagine Italy taking
such a momentous step as officially
threatening to withdraw from the con-
ference unless the Italians sincerely be-
lieve that II Is justified in the move.
In other words II Il were question Of
compromise or a matter about which
diverging views might in Italy's esti-
nation consistently be held Italy never
would go to this extreme. diplomats say.
Consequently the Italians must feel that
something is very wrong fundamentally
with the proceedings.
The Italians state their case simply
Selt-determination, they say, was one
OF the fundamental principles of Presi-
dent Wilson's fourteen points and there
fore a cornerstone on which peace was
based. Fiume, they assert, is an
Italian city: the people are Italians and
they want to Join Italy.