Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-03
ITALY DEPLORES
ALLIED CRITICISM
Uphold Justness of Course
in Dealing With
Jugo.Slavs
FEELINGS ARE H URT
Will Defend Ideal Against
All Who Spur 1t, News
paper Says

Z
London, Jan. 3.-The Italian Informa.
ton Bureau has issued the following
extract from an article in the Corriere
della Sera, explaining the relations be-
tween Italy and the Jugo-Slavs from an
Italian standpoint:
when recently discussing the ques-
tion of the frontiers and the difficulty
Of determining them purely on an ethni-
cal basis---a fact which is now being
demonstrated by the experience of all
the old and new States which are read
justing their own borders--we said {:
This truth must not be left out of
account by those in Allied countries who
I examine our affairs with "a severity
which they do not adopt with regard to
their own or those of their other friends
Let them assist us in instilling into the
minds OF our neighbors ideas of toler-
ance and moderation which will make
possible the concilation that was pre-
possible the conciliation that was pre-
dicted during the Congress of Rome,
'The assistance. however. does not
reach us; and this is serious, because
from the attitude of many Entente
ClTCitb tllc Jubp-SdNS are
strength and inspiration to oppose the
most sacred Italian rights. while in
their turn, from the Jugo- -Slavs eXcesses.
many Italians are being induced TO re-
turn to that conception of Italo-Slav
relations which Austria and Germany
have always favored for the purpose
of basing the defense of their Adriatic
aims on the dissensions of the two
peoples. But even that is not enough
the language Of a certain section of the
Allief press.
Aims Diner widely
There undoubtedly exists n strong
divergence of opinions between the
Italians and the Jugo-Slavs with re-
gard to the determination of their re-
spective frontiers. But 1t is possible
that this divergence, which concerns
a territory in which. with more than
400, 900 Italians. there are mixed at the
most 100000 Jugo-Slavs. should be al
lowed to become one of the most i'm
posing vital and serious of European
problems in which anybody has the
right to intervene without having re-
gard of any sort towards II nation
which, in serving the cause of the En-
tente. has shed the best of it's blood,
lavished wealth which, proportionately,
has not been equaled by any other Of
the Allies, and staked its very exist
ence.
1t is possible that the press OF the
world must be alloed to be wchoked by
this preoccupation when, for example,
it appears from the German census of
1910 that in the three districts into
which Alsa Lorraine was divided, the
French-spea king inhabitants were 294.-
600 O1 per cent? MS against l,63i,o00
,,NA n tT,sr INar rpN a
when 1t is known that nine million
Czechs will annex in Bohemia couple
of million Germans when Poles, Ru-
manians and even Jugo-Slavs them
selves are demanding the incorporation
within their borders of many Germans,
Magyars. Bulgars and Albanians?
''Is 1t for Italy alone that there must
be this problem of a frontier which
in order TO satisfy the ethnic geographic
cal and historical demands Of a great
and victorious nation, must include
nuclei of populations of another race
This question may be permitted in
the case of journal which co-op"rdted
with all its power in Italy's interven-
tion.
Today. as yesterday. we are con
WINGED that cOncilation Is the vital in
terest of both peoples, just as it was
their vital interest that the policy Of ma
tionalities should lead to that eak-uI
Nof Austria. But this conviction does not
deprive US Of the right--indeed il inn
poses on us the duty--of looking well II
the face of those who, with the purpose
or the preteXt Of intervening in the wOrl
of Cancellation, go beyond the limits o
the most necessary discretion, destroy
the bonds of recognition and fraternity
which must exist between tn" Allie
and trample upon our dignity and oul
supreme interest.
ITO put it quite plainly and give Z
concrete example, we say TO our col
leagues of the new Europe, who's
authority and competence we recognize
that the tone In which, on various oc
casions, but particularly in the mum
Der of November IS. they have spokeI
of Italy, OF her government. and o
the past of London. cannot be regarde,
by an Italian either as friendly or just
Calls Problem Small
There are so very many European
and International problems beside WhiCl
that of the Italo-JugO-Slav frontier be
comes insignificant, Then why this zeal
\ this fervor, this love which cause th
rights of a small people TO be place.
above those of italy, and make it appea
an enormhy that Italy should deman'
the Austrian fleet, against which he
own fleet has been in battle for three
and half years, and should not r'coG
nize the ridiculous treaty Of ccssiu1
made by Austria IN articulo morts?
"It is natural that Italy should see
for the clcarest explanations Of TN.
mystery. and should ask whether It ]
not desired in certain spheres, for som
recondite purpose, to perpetuate ltalo
Slay dissensiOns They are sometime
too severe and unjust toward us, an
are playing the game OF tn" people !
France who still cherish the anti-ltaia
tradition and whom our French friend
have not yet succeeded in depriE'ng
all their influence as well as the gam
of the people in Italy who cherish IN
Gallophobe and Anglophobe tradition
The latter. who dispute certain Adriau
positions with us on the basis of ethnI
ratios, play very strong cara whe