Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-04-24
THE ITALIAN CLAIMS

Inc 1tallan claims to a particular exclusive control
OF the Adriatic sea are holding up the work of the peace
conference. 1t is difficult at this distance to acquit the
Italian negotiators of a desire to gain for their country.
and incidentally themselves, an unfair advantage by the
use of tactics which are something less than creditable.
There has never been any dispute among the Allies
as to the recognition of Italy's claim to the district in the
north known as the Trentino, and that Italian section to
the northeast of the Adriatic known as Italia Irredenta.
Those sections which are Italian in position and in senti-
ment, were withheld from united Italy by the strong
hand of Austria, and are necessary to the completion of
Italian political and geographical unity. This can scarce
ly be said OF the lower Adriatic coast, and the city Of
Fiume which just now is the central point in the contro-
versy. According to numerous statements which we have
not seen contradicted, the entire territory in question Is
inhabited by a population overwhelmingly Slavic. The
rural population is almost entirely of this character, and
even in the cities the Italians have only a small minority.
The Slavic races have been guaranteed national indie
pendence, and political control over the territory imme-
diately back from the Adriatic, and they demand SEEM
ingy with good reason free access to the sea coast and
the opportunity to carry on their commerce by land and
water under their own flag. That is a reasonable ambi-
ton, and it seems impossible to reconcile with reason
the extreme demands which Italy makes.
The Italians insist on the carrying out to the letter
all engagements entered into in a secret treaty between
their own nation, France and Great Britain, known as
n treaty OF LONDON. secret compacts between nations
are apt to prove troublesome. This one is following the
usual course. 1t was made during a time Of extraordinary
stress when the Allies were willing to make great con-
cessions in order to strengthen their military position.
II the case were one merely of Great Britain and France
keeping a bargain at their own expense which they had
made for their own protection, there would be nothing
to say. An honorable man or an honorable nation does
not seek to repudiate a contract after the portion of it
which is to his own advantage has been carried out and
when the fulfnlment of his own engagements is de-
manded.
But this is not a matter which concerns only the
world. The rights of several million people living east
of the Adriatic are involved. The United States is a party
to the settlement Of great war questions at this time, and
the United States has not been a party to any bargain
guaranteeing to Italy the possession of Slavic property,
hence the United States at least is not at all bound by
anything which may be provided in the treaty of London.
The controversy will be settled in some way. Peace
effective league of nations be indefinitely delayed, by the
stubborn Italy, and it seems strange that wise men in
Italy can not see that in insisting on their utmost demands
they are really working for the establishment of a con-
dition which if it does not ultimately produce war, will
inevitably impair the cordial feeling which ought to exist
among the peoples Of the earth. 1t would be a poor bar
gain for Italy to win control of a few cities, a few har-
Of acquiring the reputation throughout the world and
demonstrating in her own career the very spirit which
was responsible for this disastrous war.