The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-21

1uRi BeHcfn syulpdthy mas peen
" expressed in this country dur
ing the last week for King
Victor Emmanuel and for his able Pre-
nder, Francesca Nitti, in connection
with the crisis brought about through
the sensational coup of that cratic
and notoriety crazed genius. Annun-
zio. In seizing Fiume with mutinous
Italian troops and in driving out the
representatives. of Great Britain.
France and the United States, along
With the military contingents under
their command. Not that the Powers
Of the Entente concerned are likely to
hold the italian Government in any
way responsible for the insults of An
hunIio and OF his followers TO their re-
speetive flags. Nor can there be any
question of his being permitted to re-
tain control of the situation at F1ume.
Il his followers had taken the trouble
n reflect. 1t must have been apparent
TO them that even IL Italy herself did
not deal with his raid in n very dras-
liz fashion the other great Powers OF
the Entente could quickly render his
POSITION at Fiume untenable by isolat-
ing the city and by cutting it off from
all foodstuffs and other supplies.
The gravity Of the crisis lies In the
mutiny OF the Italian officers and
troops. who instead of falling DAn-
nunzio and thus nipping his mischiev-
Gus design In the very bud allowed
themselves to be won over by his the
atrical appeals to throw discipline and
their allegiance 10 the winds, to prove
faithless to the oath to their nag and
to compromise the reputation of the
army and of the nation to which they
belong for soundness. reliability and.
above all. stability.
Italians Sane at Foundation.
approximations have been expressed
both In America and In the Entente
capitals OF Europe that the mutiny of
tne Italian troops in and around
rune might spread to the remainder
OF the army and that popular passion
might be aroused to such an extent
as not only to prevent the suppression
OF DAnnunEio and of his followers,
nut even to bring about the downfall
OF the present Nitti Government
which has made friendly understand
ing with the United States the keynote
OF It's policy. II Is even said that the
existence OF the dynasty is at stake
ana that Its overthrow might be
brought about through the Kings re-
iusal to indorse and approve of An
hhnzio's seizure OF Fiume.
Ihese fears are unfounded. The
Italians are a strange mixture of pas
SION and OF sobriety, of impulsiveness
Urging on hysteria, blended with
morse sense and business prudence
their extravaganza of speech has ite
counterpolse in the most admirable
thrift. They often allow their wild
enthusiasms, their fierce prejudIces
sna Their romantic ideals to run away
Win them. But then there follows q
.escuon which leads to calm reflection
quo thereafter the head--the very
WNe' head-prevails and secures the
upper hand. The old adage that Sec
ond thoughts are always the best is
nowhere more true than with the
.,anans In dealing with these like
aole people who have so many at.
uacuVe and admirable qualities, II ID
aISays advisable TO wait for their sec,
Sno thoughts and never to be guided
~ the expression OF their first
How the Row Began.
MT, rne Italians furnished a striking
alusrauon Of this peculiarly last
trSrlhs They had thought so little OF
i, ,ume In the past that when the Or
nS. So-sonnino Government negotiated
~ ~" great Britain and with France
,sr,, 30 called Pact Of London, de-
sanng the extent OF the territorial
spolls OF Italy In the event OF victory
70 mention was made therein OF her
quisiton OF Fiume. II was only
s "nen the people OF FIume, takinr
'sn'ase Of President Wilson's doc