The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-01-01

,Iavs Live and How Italy Now Occu-
e Coast.)
on Italy, by the belligerents on both
sides to induce her to enter the war
The Italian national spirit was aroused
and the public demand for the re-
demption of the lands populated by
Italians, but under Austrian rule, be-
came strong. Austria offered Italy
some territorial concessions. but not
enough. The entente allies, on the
other hand. recognized all OF Italy's
claims and promised, In the event Of
victory, to give Italy not only the
Trentino and Trieste but the entire
Dalmatian coast.
Bargain Sealed In Secret
This bargain. made before the as
pirations of the Jugo-Slavs for freedom
had taken such concrete form and be-
fore the United States had entered
the war and President Wilson had set
forth the principle of self-determina-
ton, was sealed by the secret" agree
ment of London which did not long re-
main secret. There is every reason
to believe, however, that Serbia was
not consulted in the matter and that
her interests were entirely disregard
ed.
Serbia. which had sacrificed so much
in the war, was justly indignant when
the bargain became known, but TO her
everlasting credit il may be said that
this little country. even though con-
sidering itself betrayed, did not fall
ter in its loyalty to the allied cause.
Serbia often Wronged.
The history of Serbia is full of in
justices wrought upon her by more
powerful neighbors, and of disappoint-
ments in her efforts to reach an out
let TO the sea.
There can be no doubt that the I'M
rest caused thereby contributed in
some measure to the outbreak of the
world war, and there can be no further
doubt. that, II the Jugo-Slavs, of which
the Serbs are an important part. are
again cut Off from a suitable outlet to
the sea by the treaty of peace the IN
rest I'm the Balkans will continue.
IL would seem that there must be
concessions on both sides IL this matter
is to be settled. The Jugo-Savs, per
haps, will have to consent to the ceding
of, say, the whole Istrian peninsula to
Italy. This will leave a considerable
portion of Slav peoples under Italian
rule, but 1t will provide Italy with two
great ports on the eastern side of the
Adriatic-Trleste, a city of great com
mercial importance. and Pola, the
great naval base. These will serve to
make the Adriatic safe for a power
like Italy.
If Italy, on her side, will consent to
make Trieste free port this city will
become the great commercial outlet
for Germany, Austria. Hungary, and a
large part Of Jugo-Slavia. If. on the
other hand, Italy insists on enforcing
italian customs dues at Trieste. II is
not unlikely that the city will be ruined
commercially.
May Compensate Italy.
Some compensation In other quar-
tiers will have to be made by the allies
to Italy for what they promised If their
promises cannot be fulfilled. Italy Is I'm
great need of Industrial and financial
help. She needs money and raw mate
rails. II may be that the allies will be
able to compensate her for giving up
the Dalmatian coast by furnishing
these.
The United States, controlling as Il
does, great sources Of raw materials
and the vastest wealth Of any nation
on earth. will be able to exert great In
fiuence on both Italy and Jugo- Slavia
to bring about the most equitable com
promise possible. In order that our
delegates to the peace conference may
be able to do this. however, II Is nee
essary that our own government be
backed by IN informed public opinion
which will Insist that the rights Of
peoples be net bartered away ana the
future peace Of the world endangered
u order that the anbitio>s sf ia1i-
vIdual nations nav -. ne
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