New-York tribune., 1919-11-09
BY Silvio Montanarella

sprung not from imperialism,
but from the recognition of
sacrifices made by Italy for the Al
he'd cause and from the force with
which the Allies have tried to im-
pose upon Us, thus endeavoring to
cause us to forget all rights for the
italanization of Fiume.
Because these rights were not
recognized two political parties
nave sprung up in Italy. The one
ed by Gabrielle d'Annunzio is pro
Fiune. 1t desires the whole con-
.rol by Italy over Fiume. The
other. headed by the Italian gov
eminent, contrary to what it prom
ised while rising to power, to
eiay would be contented with COM
promise solution assigning the city
Of Fiume to Italy and leaving the
port Of Fiume under the control of
he league Of nations.
Gabrielle d'Annunzio and the peo-
pie Of Fiume uphold Italian rights
BASED upon one of the fourteen
Joints of President Wilson regard
ing national self determination
This is no time to discuss rthe
Treaty of London, for Italy has
made greater sacrifices than the
treaty demanded of her The be-
-rayal by Russia OF the Allied cause.
he downfall of Austria and the fact
nat Mr.. Wilson does not recognize
.reaties signed prior to America S
entrance in the war, as he did not
recognize the treaty giving Smyrna
% Italy, are sufficient reasons for
the assignment of Fiume 10 Italy,
which has Italian institutions, Ital-
ian customs and speaks the Italian
language. Moreover, the city has re-
DeatedlV demonstrated its passion
ate determination of becoming part
Of the Italian state.
And al those who to-day want to
give Fume to Italy are the same
who have fought for the liberty of
the people, are the same who
know that giving the city 10 Italy
and the port to the league Of ma
lions would mean submitting the
Italians to the mercy of stronger
ally which without doubt would
soon have it's influence felt to the
disadvantage OF Italian interests.
The census to be taken after fif
teen years, according to President
Wilson, plan Tor establishing the
nationality OF chat city, would have
no other result than to put the Ital-
ians in more difficult situation
against the different races.
Therefore, not assigning Fiume
10 Italy or assigning it according to
The hybrid solution that would sat
sly the Italian government would
he the same as giving the body to
Italy and the soul of the city to the
Allies
If this should happen Italy would
.ose her control over the Adriatic, SO
IA undisputed The day that the
< port Of Fiume would become an AL
lied port very little would our flag
represent in comparison to those of
the Allies.
With the keys of the Mediter-
aNean IN the hands Of the English,
with Asia Minor and it's mineral
wealth III the hands of Greece and
france, and even Fiume controlled
'y the league of nations, but really
a the hands Of the Jugo-Slavs, Italy
would lose the only hope for full eco
nomic Independence.
The real object of the Allies, as
agreed to by Mr.. Wilson, the Jugo-
9lavs' French and English, is to
HNert all the commerce from Trieste
% flume and to appropriate for
themselves the market of the hinter-
and for imports and exports.
besides, denying Fiume to our
selVes would mean renouncing our
Selfrespect
Inc control of the league Of ma
+0's over tiume, which is an Italian
y ss' populated with Jugo-Slavs by
's colonlzlng scheme of the Aus
."" government, would tend to de-
'0y the Italian population in its
ale and its recu1iar c,,}t,1ve