The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-04-24
BY HENRY WOOD.

(Rome Correspondent, United Press.)
New York, April 24.-Italys claims
for Fiume which have resulted in the
present critical situation at the peace
conference, are of comparatively re-
cent origin.
In the original pact of London, en-
tered into between England, France
and Russia, in which Italy's territorial
compensation for entering the war on
the side of the allies was fixed in ad-
vance, Fiume did not figure. In
general way Italy was guaranteed
possession of her two "unredeemed
provinces" of Trentino and Trieste, a
certain number of islands along the
Dalmatian coast and a part of the
Dalmatian coast itself. Fiume was
not mentioned.
Immediately following the signing
of the armistice last November, the
Italian population of the city and
province of Fiume, thru their munich
pal and governmental authorities, act
ing under President Wilson's princi-
pies of self determination and of ma
tionality, officially declared their de-
sire to be annexed to Italy and placed
| themselves under the protection of
| President Wilson himself.
Propaganda for Annexation. &.
Immediately a nationwide propa-
ganda and a nationwide sentiment
| sprang up in Italy for the inclusion
! of Fiume in ltaly's national aspira-
tions. This propaganda and senti-
| ment. fostered by the Italian press,
/ the Italian government and the Ital-
ian people themselves, has reached a
| degree of intensity until it has become
| almost the one and only consideration
| and topic of converse ton in Italian
| life. Only person who has lived for
| years in Italy and who knows the
| pride of race and nationality that ex-
| lists in the Italian temperament to a
| degree not to be found in any other.
can appreciate the gravity of the pres
/ ent situation.
Should Italy fail to obtain F:ume as
a portion of her national aspirations
almost anything IS liable to happen in
Italy-and amongst the more probable
! hypothesis are revolution. Bolshevisn
or an actual return. to the German al
| lance of before the war
Internal Conditions Critical.
Italy's internal conditions are fal
! more critical than those of any Other
one of the allies Italy spent for hel
part in the war over three-fourths o.
her entire national wealth. Food, Goa
| and all the other necessities in life il
Italy are scarceT and dearer than il
any other allied country and as a con
sequence the general suffering among
the people has been more intense ans
more widespread than in either Eng
land or France.
Yet the Italian temperament is s,
constituted that the Italian peopl.
with their intense pride of race ant
7 nationality could support all of thi
F, uncomplainingly if by so doinc the,
were to attain what they consider thei
Just national aspirations.
Despite the intensity of the deman,
on the part of the great bulk of tn
Ital an population for the annexation
of Fiumes there is. however. in Ital
a certain opposition. The Socialist
especially, led by Bissolati. a forme
member of the Italian war cabinet
oppose in the extreme degree wha
they term this imperialstic policy tha
has been ehampioned by Sonnino am
Orlando They ta'-e the position
tContinued On Page Two.J