The patriot. (Glenmora, La.) 1918-1955, 1919-03-28

THESE groups and serious trouble was threatened.
IL was only the thought that back in Paris
ChOughtlui statesmen were assembling fully de-
lermhed TO settle once for all the possibility OF
war, that enabled one to go through Fiume with
out making the prediction that the war was in its
INFANCY rather than at its end
For some unknown reason Fiume was not in
ciuoed IN the list of towns allotted Italy in that
now famous pact of London. which was signed
by the allies Just before italy entered the war.
Poia and Triste, ports the Adriatic and stu
ated on the Istrian peninsula, given to Italy.
1talian possession OF the last-named cities was
more or less unquestioned. But Fiume was liter
ally No Mans Land when the peace conference
started. although neither Italy nor the JugoSlavs
would admit as much.
Americans as Mediators
America had a really prominent part in the af-
flair. noncommital part, because we were not
one of tile nations signing the pact OF London
In every respect We were neutral But we had
one warshiD and four destroyers in the harbor
and battalion of soldiers ashore. and our colors
were cheered with enthusiasm by both elements
contesting for possession of the city
Americas popularity may in measure be
I judged by the fact that one of the local hotels
had just been rechristened Hotel Wilson, and
there were numerous American flags in evidence
also pictures of President WILSON,
While small in number-the American soldiery
numbered only battalion--our troops had pres
tige that was wholly out of proportion to their
numerical strength. The responsibility of patrone
the streets and maintaining quiet was divided
among the four allied nations. In this job Amer
lean troops had one quarter Of the work to per-
form. siace each street patrol was composed of
four s6fdiers-a Frenchman, an Italian a British
Tommy and American. They walked in tours
abreasesand you could see several such groups In
even brief survey OF the city from one of the
principal business corners.
Somehow or other the patrols managed to con-
ssefse with each other. The Americans and Eng
lsh could understand one another. of course and
the Italian and French could talk. Then in each
patrol there were usually one or two rfen that
bknew n few words of either Latin or English, SO
the ndsh had little on no trouble In transmitting
givensidea about.
Most OF the American boys were natives of
Ohio Although Lieut.. Col. William Eyerson. their
coislnantler. hailed from Indiana. Among the un-
dr. officers were strapping young fellows mainly
from the middle West One OF these explained to
me some Of the importance that had been thrust
or the American contingent through the develop
ment or the political situation.
awe are nediators here" the officer said. s'and
are rathe popularl all arouid. In a way. our out
sflt n sitting onntIie lid When We get on trouble
is going to break out right away. The Jugo-Slavs
are mobilizing an army back In the country. Sew
erai Slavs we know. patives Of this conf ~
received their orders 10 go to c&a&bA 81 1--WE
leave it's moral certainty the Jugok LA~r-tnd
Italian troops will clash before long
French Are Accused.
me Attuai contention. However, was not between
tbe lingo Savs Us SUCH md the Italians, but be-
tween the malians and the French The highest
Italian officials In This Estrian territory believed
ths french were backing the Jugo-Slavs, ar1nlng
shen and encouraging them In their demands for.