The evening world., 1919-04-24
WILSON DENOUNCES EVERY SECRET PRE-WAR

onsulted with Col. House and dis
ussed with him the question Of the
'suanco OF a counter statement by
'e Italien Premier.
This explanation was made TO show
nat the Italian delegates were not
iuite as surprised over the issuance
'r the Presidents statement as they
rofess to be.
Premier Orlando, in a statement to
allan correspondents last night, out
ned the events OF tho day. He said
rat in the morning Premier Lloyd
ieorge's Secretary took to tho Italian
elegation a note from the Council OF
three which answered the Italian
aims and which specified that
'iume was to be a free city and not
nder tho administration Of any
over.
The delegation then inquired. ne
aid. II this represented President
Wils-n's opinion. and received an
firmative answer. The Italian delc-
ie note. but had hardly begun It's
Consideration before an afternoon
iewspaper was brought in, and the
Italians were dumfounded. tho Pre-
uisr said. to find Mr.. Wilson's note
rinted there.
The surprise Of the Italians was in
.enso, Signor Orlando continued. TO
learn that n document so vital had
jccn made public in such a manner.
nd at first doubted It's authenticity.
These doubts were soon removed,
however, and the delegation at once
deliberated upon the consequences OF
ts publication.
After a discussion which lasted un-
~ 63O o'clock. the Italians consld-
red It necessary TO make known their
-urprise to France and England, sig
uatories to the London treaty. and ad- |
dressed n letter to those two powers,
ponting out the impossbility OF con-
,inulng 10 participate uscfully in the !
Peace Conference.
II Is said that Lloyd George APP
proved OF President Wilson's state
ment without reserve, and that Pre-
mier Clemenccau has described It as
admirable" and has said that he |
would not change a word" II Is
explained that the reason Lloyd |
George and NJ. Clemenceau did not |
ioin in the statement was that they |
we're parties. to the Treaty of Lon
ion.
II was stated in an authoritative |
American quarter last night that Mr. |
Wilson'S statement regarding F'ume |
had been submitted by him TO Lloyd |
George and NJ. Clemenceau two days |
ago. Previously he had laid II be-
fore the American delegation, which |
had approved II.
President Wilson's sweeping declar-
a ation, while aimed directly at the
Adriatic problems, also reaches the
klaochow controversy, in which |
Japan relies upon secret agreements
made with Great Britain, Ffnee ana
Italy la 1917 TO support her In her
claim 70 the concessions held ~ !
Germany in Shantung.
The peace delegates generally re-
gard President Wilson's statement as
a challenge which will once for all dis
pose Of the question whether secret
documents, Of which many nations
participating In the war were
ignorant. arc TO hgure In the peace
following an armistico In which AL
The Allies were pledged to give ne re-
gard to secret treaties.
III the Jugo- Slays had shown the
slightest inclination 10 concedc any
point in the Italian difficulty, the
Italians probably would have been
prepared TO follow their lead was
the statement made last night in
French circles.
Both sides, however. displayed the
utmost stubbornness. the Italians be-
ing too proud 10 give way IT was
said. First. they consider that, as
they fought throughout the war as
solid entity. they are entitled TO con-
sideration on that account, while the
Jugo- Slavs, according to Italian Wow
became an entity only when hostili-
ties ceased and after some of them
had been hghting against Italy"
II is recognized that both France
and Great Britain are in a difhchlt
position owing to the existence OF the
secret agreement with Italy. as laid
down in the Treaty of London.
hlIIFS HnlD 0FE FIXING