The sun., 1919-07-15
CHINA TO FIGHT
ITALIAN CLAIM
Demand for Atstria's COnces-
sion at Tientsin Will Be
Vigorously Protested.
TITTONI IN NIPPON ROLE
Serious Complications Seen if
Shantung Precedent Is Fol-
lowed by Allies.
by LAURENCE HILLS,
Star Correspondert Of TIE Sun.


Copyright, 1919: all rights reserved.
PARIS, July 14.-The presentation Of
the Italian note to the Peace Con-
ference asking that Austria's con-
cession at Tientsin be given to Italy.
seems to involve the Austrian treaty
in new complications. The fact that
the Italians presented this demand Is
highly significant and 1t has caused
great excitement among the Chinese,
who, according to their spokesman, in
tend to make vigorous protest II the
Council Of Five shows any signs Of
yielding to Italy. They asserted to-
day that they had been authoritatively
informed that the Austrian treaty as
now drawn returns the Austrian con-
cession to China on condition that
1t be internationalized
This would be satisfactory to China,
because Il would recognize China as
an ally in getting back property from
the enemy. which Is the kind Of recog-
milton she demanded in the Shantung
case.
Tho Austrian Tients1n concession Is
hardly comparable to Shantung for
many reasons 1t represents that part
OF Tfentsin that Austria got after the
Boxer uprising. the other Powers get
ting concessions, the United States re-
fusing. however. TO participate.
A this concession would seem Of
doubtful value to Italy II looks as II
italy in making this move is actuated
by other than material motives. One
Interpretation placed on the move to-day
was that Foreign Minister Tittoni. sat
isfed he cannot change the Fiume deci-
sion. is now determined 10 nfnlss all dee,
mands possible. taking a leaf from the
japanese book. II the Japanese policy
Is followed by Italy it means that she
will not sign the peace treaty with Aus
tria until she is satisfied.
Signor Tittonis return 20 Paris is
expected TO be followed by interesting
Developments, The diplomats here found
little Qualification OF the 1tanan ques-
ton in the Rome speech. pacihcatory as
It seemed. Italy IL admittedly much
tloTe ueptHuent on the Allies IMAM Japan
was when she exacted Shantung al the
price of allied unity Economically
italy seems to be facing disaster without
allied help, OF which America must fur
nish most
But to treat Japan one way and Italy
another way may have serious conse-
quences In the future. and this is some
thing the diplomats do not like TO face.
The despatch of British and American
warships to Fiume seems TO Indicate a
purpose to show the Italians they must
not go too far. and this causes the out
come of the Tientsin matter to be
awaited with all the more interest
Every day makes II more apparent
that the mopping up process here is
not going to be easy. Bolshevism is
lurking everywhere. The Bulgarians are
expected July 25. on which date they
will get a treaty cutting Bulgaria Off
completely from tho 4Egean. that part
OF their country going to Greece, while
Serbia also gets some Bulgarian terri
tory
Although all this looping OF is held
20 he in accordance with self -det termina-
tion It Ia conceivable that it may cause
Bulgarian-Turkish combination, there
by bringing up a new military problem
Tor the Allies This prospect is causing
some concern here.