New-York tribune., 1919-05-28
Three of Big Four Deter
mined in Opposition to
Any Treaty That Permits
Pan-Cermans to Prevail
Orlando Not Committed
Suspicion Exists That Italy
Will Demand Concessions
as Price for Her Aid
Nea0 YorIc Tribune
.EnecinI CnhIa Coa.n,;cn

Dpectut CdOte Sefrtce.
Copyright. 1919. New York Tribune Inc)
PARlS, May 27.-The capital ques-
tion affecting the Austrian delegation
is not whether the treaty shall be
signed but whether it will permit. now
or IN the future, the union of German
Austria with Germany. Supporters of
such union, and adherents of
Austrian independence, are both repre-
sented at Saint Germain, and all
information reaching peace conference
authorities indicates that this uues-
tion overrides all others. Inquiries
in American, British and French cir
cles disclose the following situation:
President Wilson, Lloyd George and
Clemenceau are firm against Ger
man-Austrian union, but are deter
mined to do all in their power on be-
half OF a smooth and speedy con-
clusion of negotiations with Austria.
The latter object is considered doubly
necessary, first because of the con-
dton of the Austrian population. and
second because of the inevitable effect
on the German negotiations. 1t is
argued that if the Germans become
recalcltrant, making a show of mill
tary force necessary, it would be in
1initely valuable to point to COM
parison with the Austrians, whereupon
the Germans would be likely to ask
why their delegation had not been
equally successful in reaching an
understanding.
The Allies, therefore, desire the
support in every way possible of the
section of the Austrian delegation op-
posing union with Germany, mean
while holding out such inducements,
economic and otherwise, for Austrian
independence as will assist those seek
ing to discredit PAM n-Germanism A
certain measure of difficulty attends
this policy because of the intricacy
of the Italian situation and the pos
slble Italian desire to complicate mat
ters in order to strengthen their hands
in regard to Fiumc and Dalmatia.
AS was recently reported in The
Tribune, Italy was supported by the
Council of Four in handing over the
klagenfuert railway junction, forty
miles from Laibach, to AUSTRIA Pri-
marly this would drive q wedge into
the Slovene barrier between Austria
and Italy, but growing number of
peace conference members now ask
whether the Italians are not looking
toward an ultimate special arrange
ment with Austria.
This raises the question whether
Orlando is certain to support the other
three members of the Council Of Four
III firmest opposition to an Austrian
union with Germany unless favorable
Italian settlements of various kinds are
accorded as the price of such support.
Fiume Denied to Italy
[ have high American authority for
the statement that whatever else hap
pens Italy will not get the sovereignty
Of Fiume, but it is clear the Italians
are still stubbornly fighting for this
point. They have other cards to play.
and will play them as required
For instance, the ASIA Minor situa-
tlon holds the possibility of embroil-
ment between the Greeks and the Serbs
which Italy might use to secure COM
promise. Finally there is hope in the
effect on the Allies of Italy's vague ten
dency to lean toward Austria and Ger
many.
1t is known that Herr Schoenbauer.
Pan Gcmanist member of the
Austrian delegation, is endeavoring bv
lnfammatory messages TO his political
group, to excite the Austrian popula-
tion to loud demand for German
union, and is losing no opportunity
to assert that the Entente intends to
crush Austria. 1t is believed here that
he and his supporters are even ready
to help secure an arrangement that
the Austrian treaty shall bear as
heavily rs possible on Austria in
order ultimately to point to union
with Germany as the only hope.
Yet the general attitude of the
Austrian delegation leads to the belief
that Schoenbauer and his faction do
not find sufficient support, while
Austrian news received at the Ouai
dOrsay is interpreted there as mean
ing that there is a perceptblc trend
of Austrian public opinion away from
Fan Gcrmanism and toward a cheerful
acceptance Of the peace treaty with
determination to throw in their lot
with their former advcrsaries.
100 A00 It'll or