Evening star., 1919-04-09
"Italy Has Been Honest"


Italy has been honest in her inten-
tion to stand by the treaty of Lon
don. Wherein does she now reject it?
In the case of Fiume alone. This
purely Italian city. conscious OF her
rights and breathing a new freedom
in the air. refuses to be made part
Of any nation other than Italy.
Through all her changes of politf-
cal fortune, she always maintained so
flaming an Italian character that her
rulers withdrew before the heat of 1t,
and granted her autonomy. 1t Is es-
pecially interesting to note that in
Americas great year of 1776, when
the spirit Of liberty was abroad in
Europe as well. Maria Theresa, Queen
Of Hungary, annexed Fiume to Croatia
and through her to Hungary. But this
against this offense to her rights and
nationality, actuated by the same
spirit as animated the American col
onists. and opposed it so vigorously
and effectively that three years later
Maria Theresa declared Fiume a sep
crow crown 0TGg Time o would te mot sa permit an
enumeration Of instances where
Fiume rose against the Croatians or
any other infringement of her auton-
omous rights and in the end carried
the day. In spite. of every Austrian
floods of Croatians to swell the non
Italian census, Fiume to this day is
IS per cent Italian. With dauntless
spirit and with high moral courage
she has always known and Kept her
self Italian.
Fumes Moves Consistent.
Fumes next move was entirely
consistent with her past history. On
october 30. 1913. she firmly and grim
ly declared her union with Italy, re-
lying with touching faith on Presi-
dent Wilson's doctrine Of self-de-
termination. and perfect confidence
in her right.
Italy can't eat her cake and have
it," says our critic. After eating our
cake. and mindful Of our manners,
asking for no second help. up jumps
this spicy piece (Fiume) and demands
to be eaten with the rest: Of which
she protests to be an integral part.
Judging from the batter of which it
is mixed, it would cause violent indi-
gestion to whoever else should at
Of q Fiuman let us hear what the
Italians have been constantly hearing
since the treaty Of London in the
form of writings. speeches. prayers
and tears. and then ask the Italians
to remain icily unmoved-and then
pleading their cause.
"One must have lived on the bor-
ders Of italy. one must have suffered
and fought. worshiping the name OF
italy, have imposed upon himself in
finite sacrifices for the good Of Italy.
hatred. have inherited a splendid ma
tional tradition. have cherished a pas
sionate faith in liberty and in Italy,
to understand what it meant to a
patriot of Fiume to see his city aban-
doned by his italian brothers with
test"
The Vital Question.
The vital question that concerns us
all is this: "Is it true, as we repeat
edly hear, that Fiume is the only
outlet to the sea for Jugoslavia? If
it is. then Italy must abandon Fiume
the new nations potential economic
development would be a poor policy
on the part Of Italy even through
motives Of self-interest. 1t would in
evitably lead to future war: her own
peoples would still be hostages in
the new kingdom. for many Italians
will still live under Slav rule. under
the Immortal document" Of the
treaty or London. Political and eco
uOHniC SOOU Will must eAASI between
such close neighbors. But Fiume is
by no means the only outlet to the
sea for the new kingdom. The error
Of this belief, which is not peculiar
to our critic. but held in general.
comes about by reason of the fact
that Fiume before the war was the
great and only suitable port Of Hun
gary. and therefore necessary for
Austria as well. But in the expanded
and combined kingdom Of Serbs,
raj other ports Zone among them at
least Of the first order that is-Segna),
They are Spalato, Metcovitch, Cat
taro, Ragusa. Antivari, Dulcigno.
Segna and others. They are all at the
ends of roads Of penetration and are
all natural and necessary outlets for
the vast Balkan territories.
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