The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-10-01
AMERICAS DUTY IN FIUME.

Sia'NNN
States to others and its duty itself in situation like
that which is developing at Fume?
The United States went to against Germany on
account Of repeated acts of and because of the
threat against free governments The Germans were
driven back they asked for armistice out
lined by President Wilson, it was granted and then Pres
den Wilson, without any other authority than his own,
went to Paris and joined in negotiations which have in
voved the United States in joint treaty of peace and
a proposed League of Nations
Instead of making peace with Germany the
war had been brought to successful termination,
contemplated by Congress when it declared war; the
United States has been made party to policy of in
terferng in the affairs Of all nations at all times, under
the now obsolete assumption that it all part of the
task of defeating Germany.
If fighting breaks out at Fume which side will
Americans fight and by what authority of law will they
fight? The treaty with Germany is silent regarding
Fiume 1t neither gives Fume to Italy denies it to
her Fiume does within the scope Of the treaty
with Germany by any possible stretching of facts i'm
agnaton Yet if the United States is not involved in
the Fume embroglio because of the war between the
United States and Germany, must be because of sub
representatives at Paris, their motion without
warrant from Congress-wthout authority of law, in
short
There is vital difference between the American activ
tiles at Fiume ad those Siberia American troops We're
sent to Russia while the United States war; anc
thp 70 aid al1y and 10 chackn
enemy If the United States and the allies had vigorously
pursued that policy they would probably have rescued
Russia by this time and thus put end forever Ger
manys hope of recovery and revenge through absorption
of Russia They acted feebly and with vaciation, how
ever with the result that the boshevki beaten
Germany is stronger than ever and the allied and Amer
ntroops obviously in danger unless they with
drawn. Having failed to fight, the allies must scutt
from Russia, having earned nothing but the bitter re
sentiment of the loyal Russian people
At Fume, however there is enemy Both sides arr
allies and associates of the United States There is
occasion for choosing between them and no excuse fo
setting up any American opinion the subject of Fume
destiny Fiume is not in danger of falling into Germany
hands There is no Imaginable for American par
ticipaton in any quarrel over Fume, especially as tn
quarrel would be between parties who friends of tn
United States and will remain friends if the United State
refrains from intermeddling in their affairs.
The statement is made that the United States is boun
to furnish quota of military force to put down tn
Italian Instruction at Fiume We deny that there an
such obligation, "mora or legal" The United State
refused to send military force into Hungary, although
the allies at Paris asked that it be DONE No obligation
was admitted and if any claimed, the claim wa
abandoned. Insted of being bound to send a force t.
Fiume the United States is morally and legally boun
70 avoid sending force.
The consequences of American participation in hos
lities at Fume might be very serious indeed DAnnun
zo is supported by public opinion in Italy The Italian
government formally denounces him. but it dare not SEN
troops against him. for the troops would almost certain
go to his side and the government would fall Now
if allied and American forces tackle DAnnunzio am
the Italian people rally his support the next step wou
be war between the allies and Italy.
Where is the American who would welcome war be
tween the United States and Italy, tbs esue being tn
determination of the United States to keep Fume fror
Italy?
The League of Nations as now drawn would compc
the United States to go forward into war on such
issue this What Americans have right to know is
When and by what process did the United States ncu
the obligation to send American soldiers and sailors
fight and die in European brols?-W Washington Post.
One vote is not equal to six in the United States Senate