New Britain herald., 1919-04-30
SENATOR LODGE AS
ITALY'S CHAMPION
G. 0, P. Leader Says Fiume Is
Essential to Nation

Wa Slling; on, April so - Senator
Lodge (Ma&s.), who will be chairman
Of the senate foreign relations com =
p1ittee in the next congress. last night
sent a telegram to Italians in Bos-
ton taking sharp issue with Preside nt
Wilson over his position in regard
to the Italian claims for Fiume and
the Daln1atian coast.
The telegram was addressed to DIR.
Rocco Brlndlsi, president of tho DAN
te Allghieri society: Saverio Romano,
president of the Federation F-igli di
Italia; Anthony Laureana, president
Of the Federation of Columbus Re-
publican clubs; Pasquale Galassi,
state i'm grafton board, and others.
In view Of Senator Lodges posi-
ton In the senate his telegram was
looked upon here last night as Of
great importance and indicating that
the presidents course with regard to
Italy is certain to cause criticism
when congress convenes. The tele-
gram follows:
Il have received your telegram. In
the discussions of the terms of peace
7 have always declared that the re-
gion known as Italia Irredenta, and
all adjoining regions where Italian
pOpoloblcll Gil oOiAlAclIt Sllcu1u DC
returned 10 Italy and that Italy
should have military and naval con-
troll of the Adriatic. not only for her
own protection but as an essential
barrier against any future attempt of
Germany to attack the rest Of the
world ss she did in the recent war.
I have also said repeatedly that the
Jugo-Slavs ought to have access to
the Adriattc, which I regard as eco
nomically essential to. their indie
pendence. To both these opinions I
adhere and I CAN sec no reason why
the matter could not have been ar
ranged. ..
From information given me by
an italian deputation, whom I saw
last spring in Washington. 1 was as
sured that Italy was entirely willing
to give portions of the Dalma titan
coast containing good ports to the
Slav populations of that region. Il
this be true, as [ have no doubt 1t is,
I cannot see why this arrangem emf
should not have been made.
The, pact of London, according to
the presidents statement, provided
for the return of F'iunle to Croatia,
but dissolution OF the Austrian en-
pire has vitality changed the situa-
ton contemplated by the secret
treaty the United States was not a
treaty the United Staes was not a
party. I ~epeat that I think Italy
should mako arrangements to secure
an access to the Adriatic to the
Slavic popu'a tons, which I hope will
form a united independent barrier
state.
las to Fiume, if Italy is of opinion
that it is necessary to her safety and
for her protection that she should
hold Fiume, / am clearly of the opin'
ion that it should be hers, especially
as the people of Fiume 7 understand
| have voted to join with Italy. Italy
regards Fiunle as the founders of our
| own Republic regarded the mouth OF
| the Mississippi when it was said that
any other nation holding the mouth
7 of the mississippi was of necessity
| an enemy of the United States. That
! which we desire to do for the Slavs
| is purely commercial and economic
| Italy's demand for Fiun1e rests on
| the ground of national safety and
| protection.
Italy has fought side by side with
! France, England and the United
| States and has helped enormo ualy in
| repelIing the German onset. She has