The sun., 1919-04-24
LONDON OPINION ON
STATEMENT DIVIDED
Liberal Journals Blame Ital-
ians While Tories Criti-
else Wilson.
FEAR RESULTS ON PEACE
The "Globe' Says President
Has No Duty to Honor
London Pact.
Special Wireless Despofoh to THs sus.

CopvroM. 1919: oil ytehfs reserved.
LONDON, April 23.-Two opinions are
expressed by the London newspapers in
regard to the Italian crisis in the Peace
Conference In Paris The Liberal four
nails blame the Italians for exagserat-
Ing their demands and seeking to GRASP
territory beyond reasonable reach. while
the Tory papers, as usual. criticize Pres
ident Wilson's viewpoint and blame
him for blocking the proceedings
Tho Pau Mol Gazette, which expresses
the Liberal viewpoint says italian
opinion. which took favorable views of
compromise no long as the war had not
been won, since the armistice has shown
an incorporating spirit Tho Juso-
Slavs. with the exuberance Of youth,
also are inclined to exaggorate their
rights, although they are ready to &C.
cept arbitration.
ITALY holds France and England to
the London treaty, which has a =
vision that would give her control Of
Dalmatia- dissatisfied with this. she
demands also the port of Fiume, which
Is not included in the agreement, with
the result that the Slav hinteriand would
be left without any real outlet to the
sea.
The French and British Governments
will honor their bond II the Italians
want TO show regard for the interests
of a great neighboring community or for
a future worlds peace, but " italy in
slsts upon the full measure OF her treaty
rights 1t would seem all tho more impor-
tant that the Jugo-Slavs should have
chief consideration in whatever remains
for disposal
ITALY cannot claim TO override self.
determination In one area to extract
the fullest profits from II In another
Her dema nd for security against a hos
tile naval power In the Adriatic Is un-
contested. but the demand has gone far
beyond that standard"
The reactionary opinion is set forth
in the Eue~rt0 Globe which says: Pres
!dent Wilson apparently insists on TAX
ing stand on certain points which he
regards AZ involving the principle of self
determination for the Jugo>Slavs To
vind!cate this he is prepared to sacrifice
the sanctity OF treaty. II France and
Great Britain repudiate the London
pact they cast away the last shred of
international honor and in no sense will
their obligations toward Belgium as a
scrap of paper.
President Wilson is not intimately
concerned in the London pact America
was not In the war when II was signed
and therefore was not a party to it,
President Wilson accordingly regards II
as OF no consequence in comparison with
the preservation of those exalted prin-
ciples for which he is endangerins the
chances OF the conference arriving at a
definite result.
'lt is plain from Italy's attitude that
she will rot reltnquish her claims. We
hope II Ia equally cleat that her co..
signatories will resist thu extravagant
and fantastic demands of an impossible
dreamer. We must not forget that if
Italy refuses to sign the treaty she
renders the instrument nugatory on the
basis Of the treaty OF London forbidding
a separate peace.
This vital factor resolves itself into
the acceptance OF one of three expe-
dents Either President Wilson must
give way. or he must conclude sep
arate peace, or the conference must
fail"
BY far the greater part Of the opinion
both in London and in tho provinces
holds that the Italians are too grasping
aot the expense OF the Jugo-Slavs II
is hoped that Premier Lloyd George will
be able tn find some ground on which
the divergent elements can be brought
together.
The Evening Stondord sympathizes to
some extent with the Italians. II says {:
After all her sufferinEs and disap-
pointments Italy naturally expects a re-
ward and her ministers dare not face
the italian nation unless they get what
the Italians have been fighting and
starving and paying taxes for; but here
they come in contact with the type OF
mind which is more willing to be Just
TO an enemy than to a friend.
This mind Is willing TO consent to all
sorts OF fantastic arrangements which
are likely to keep contentious alive and
breed future wars. Italy suspects a neu-
tralized seaport or a guaranteed CORR
| dor she knows that such arrangements
are not satisfactory. She points out that
the Jugo-Slavs were forced TO do without
Fiume when the Austrians had II. The
worst possible solution would be that
which left the Italians smarting under q
| sense of injustice"