The sun., 1919-04-24


George approved such departure
from all precedent. Italy Is the first
nation to challenge the President 10
a finish fight on his Interpretation Of
his principles as enunciated in his
fourteen points, and from its sheath
the President has drawn the weapon
which every one here knew he was
holding in reserve against such a con-
tingency from the first day Of the
Peace Conference.
Behind the Presidents move is the
menace of action similar to that OF
Italy by japan, which also has a Sc
cret treaty involved. The Italians,
however, refuse to work with the
japanese.
1t Is obvious that the Peace Con
ference Is threatened with a seri.
Gus rupture on the eve Of the arrival
of the German delegates, and with Pre-
mier Clemenceau and Premier Lloyd
George unable to repudiate the Lon.
don pact the President was left to
lake the situation in his own hands.
Some Of the American delegates as
sert that the British and French Pre-
miers are sympathetic with the Pres.
ident's view, hoping that he would ex-
tricate them from their predicament.
In some quarters 1t Is said that the
Presidents statement to-day had their
tacit approval. but he assumed the
sole responsibility.
The French newspapers as a whole
are standing by Italy, declaring that
France should not desert her ally. 1t
is known that the two Premlers made
strenuous efforts in the last few days
to induce Premier Orlando TO comrro-
mise; what effort they made to get
the President to modify his views is
not known. 49,
The Presidents statement indicates
that he is unwilling to give the Ital-
fans Fiume or even Dalmatia, as he
still believes strongly that the cove
nant Of the League Of Nations, includ-
ing the disarmament clause, removes
all necessity for the strategic from
tiers upon which Italy's demands are
based in part. The Presidents view
of the security afforded by the league
Is not that which is held in most dip
lomatic circles here; to this extent
these diplomats may be said to SYM
pathize with Italy.
The action of the President is con.
strued as a defence of the league and
the fourteen points, which have been
challenged by Italy. The attitude of
the italian people has not been clearly
defined, but behind the President Ia
the potential economic weapon, which
the Americans believe cannot be ig-
nored. II the Italian credits should
be stopped Italy would be placed in a
deplorable condition, yet Premier Or
lando. knowing this, defied the Presi-
dent.
Italians Are Indignant.
Tho great dominating fact, however,
which is recognized by all is that the
American President has injected him
self into the tangled affairs of south
eastern Europe, welding new
weapon which is certain to have far
reaching consequences.
Italians in Paris are denouncing the
President in bitter terms. They con-
tend, and their belief Is strongly en-
phasized by their diplomatic repre-
sentatives here that President Wilson
has consented to a peace treaty which
will give the British all that they have
wanted. and has made many compro,
misses for the benefit OF the French
including the latest plan for an olli-
ance. They say they cannot under
stand, In view of these circumstances.
why the President should interpret
the fourteen points as an absolute bur
to their Adrlatlc claims.
Complaint is made by the Italians
that the British in the Peace Confer
ence have obtained Egypt, Mesopo-
tamia, Palestine. the German African
colonies, the destruction OF the Ger
man feet, the removal Of the German
mercantile feet as a rival. and in
their bargaining with President Will
son they have succeeded in having the
freedom of the seas" cast into the
heap Of discarded principles.
British Diplomats Accused.
The Italians do not hesitate TO call
the treaty the British Peace Treaty"
fhe foundations Of which, they say,
were laid very skllfully by British
diplomats in the London conferences
with President Wilson last December.
This shows merely how high italian
feeling IL running and the mistake
the President made III thinking that
Premier Orlando and Baron Sonnlno
could not persist in their territorial