The Washington times., 1919-04-24
Presidents Statement On
Claims OF Italy

there shall be rszed and perma-
nently destroyed.
Arms To BE Limited.
at is part also of the new plan
OF the European order which CEN
ters in the league of nations
that the new states erected there
shall accept a Limitation of arma-
ments, which puts aggression out
OF the question. There can be
no FEAR OF the unfair treatment
OF groups of italian people there,
because adequate guarantees will
be given. under international
sanction, Of the equal and eQuit-
able treatment OF all racial or ma
tional minOritieS. -
In brief, every question as
sociated with this settlement
wears q new aspect-a, new a.
pect given it by the very victory
for right for which Italy has
made the supreme sacrifice of
blood and treasure Italy. along
with the. four other great pow
ers, has become one Of the chief
trustees of the new order which
she has played so honorable a
part in establishing.
Italian Unity Restored.
ION the north and northeast
her natural frontiers are com
pletely restored, along the whole
sweep Of the Alps from north
west to southeast 10 the very end
OF the Istrian peninsula, incIud-
ing all the great watershed
within which Triest and Pola lie,
and all the fair regions whose
face nature has turned toward
the great peninsula upon which
the historic life of the Latin peo-
pie has been worked out through
centuries OF famous story ever
since Rome was FIRST set upon
her seven hills.
Her ancient unity IL restored.
Her lines ara extended to the
great walls which are her nat
ural defense. It Is within her
choice to be surrounded by
friends; to exhibit to the newly
liberated peoples across the Ad-
riatic that noblest quality of
greatness, magnanimity. friendly
generosity. the preference Of JUS
tice over interest.
"The nations associated with
her, the nations that know moth
ing of the pact of London or OF
any other special understanding
that lies at the beginning Of this
great struggle, and who have
made their supreme sacrifice
also in the interest, not of ma
tional advantage or defense, but
of the settled peace of the world.
are now united with her older
associates in urging her to as
sumo a leadership which cannot
be mistaken in the new order Of
Europe"
America ItaIy's Friend.
America is Italy's friend. Her
people are drawn, millions
strong, from Italy's own fair
sides. She is linked in
blood, as well as in affection, with
tic Italian people. Such ties can
never be broken. And America
was privileged, by the generous
commission of her associates in
the war, to initiate the peace we
are about to consummate-to ini-
tiate il upon terms which she had
herself formulated and in which
/ was her spokesman.
THE compulsion is upon her to
square every decision she takes
a part in with those principles.
She can do nothing else. She
trusts Italy, and in her trust be-
lieves that Italy will ask nothing
Of her that cannot be made un-
consistent with those
sacred obligations.
Fought For by America.
The interests are not now in
question, but the rights of peo-
pies, OF states, new and old, OF
liberated peoples and peoples
whose rulers have never account
ed them worthy of a right; above
all, the right of the world TO
peace and to such settlements of
as shall make peace Sc
cure.
These, and these only, are the
principles for which America has
fought. These, and these only,
are the principles upon which she
:an consent to make peace. Only
upon these principles. she hopes
and believes, will the people of
Italy ask her to make peace"