The sun., 1919-04-27
Does Fiume Point . Way Out o.
the Quicksand and Back
to Firm Ground?

DVtb - Ves Oue VI
the Quicksand and Back
to Firm Ground?
Which Is the more important: the
peace Of Europe and the world. or
the vindication at Italy's expense Of
President WILSON'S self.assumed at
titude as the arblter Of European
boundaries and destinies-matters
with which neither he nor this coun-
try has any proper concern?
That Italy stands united behind
ORLANDO is clear now beyond the
possibility of reasonable doubt. Up
to Friday night six thousand munich
palities had already assured the Pre-
mier Of their confidence and support
The reported utterances Of the press
are practically uniform on the main
question. The beautiful peninsula Is
ringing from one end to the other with
cries of down With WILSON," and
Long Live America, showing an
accurate perception, on the whole, Of
the whereabouts Of responsibility. If
now and then there are indications
of a disposition In less intelligent
minds to identify Mr.. WILSON per-
sonally with the Government and peo-
pie of the United States. the confu-
sion is natural on the part of an emo
tional and highly .exasperated popu-
lace. Too much significance should
not be attributed to isolated cases Of
this sort; and any temporary strain
in the general feeling Of friendship
and admiration over there for the
great republic which numbers among
her own citizens so many Of Italy's
sons should be regarded here as add
ing to the load Of personal RESPONSE
billty which the President has in
Cured, rather than as mitigating 1t.
But while the dislllusioned multi
tudes are thus manifesting the change
in their sentiments regarding the
world rebuilder whom they received
not many weeks ago with plaudlts
unexampled; while they are angrily
yelling tablets set up in his honor,
remaining anew the avenues named
for him, and even covering with tar
paulin the business sign Of the es-
adjustment which Roman enthusiasm
recently styled the Wilson Cafe, some
Of the patriotic societies are advocat'
ing n procedure which seems to us
both sensible and practical.
The suggestion Is that In reply to
President WILSON'S unauthorized ap-
peal to the italian people, over the
heads of the italian Government, the
Italian people shall now appeal over
his head to the Congress Of the United
States, representing at Washington
the people Of the United States.
This counter-appeal would not only
be in the line Of poetic justice, but
under certain conditions it might lead
to results important not only to Italy
but also to Italy's friend, the United
States Government.
II, for example, the protest against
President WILSON'S unwarranted at
tempt to decide, on his own judgment
and to Italy's disadvantage, Ques-
lions with which he has absolutely no
official concern should take the form
Of q resolution of the italian Parlia-
ment addressed to the American Sen
ate and House Of Representatives,
how could our Congress avoid an ex-
animation into all the circumstances
Of his selfassumed spokesmanshlp for
America?
For the Constitution makes Con-
gress-although the fact Is not always
at the front in some peoples minds
the final judge Of the propriety. the
legality, the authority Of all the acts
of the Executive. We are speaking
now of the Constitution Of the United
States, not the constitution Of any
league Of nations, By the express