The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-04-24
JUGo.sLAVS BLAMED


PARIS. Apr. 24.-"If tie Jugo-Slavs
had shown the slightest inclination to
concede any point in the Italian diff
ficulty, the Italians probably would
have been prepared to follow their
lead" was a statement made last
night in French circles.
"Both sides, however, displayed the
utmost stubbornness, the Italians be-
ing too proud to give way" 1t was
said. First, they consider that, as
they fought throughout the war as a
solid entity, they we're entitled to con-
sideration on that account while the
Jugo-Slavs, according to Italian view,
became an entity only when hostilities
ceased and after some OF them nad
been fighting against Italy"
1t is recognized that both France
and Great Britain are in q difficult
position owing to the existence OF the
secret agreement with Italy, as laid
down in the treaty OF London.
Orlando Gives Statement.
Premier Orlando, in q statement to
italian correspondents last night, out
lined the events of the day. He said
that yesterday morning Premier Lloyd
Georges secretary took to the Italian
delegation q note from the council OF
three which answered the Italian
claims and which specified that Fiume
was to be a free city and not under
the administration Of any power.
The delegation then inquired. he
said, If this represented President
Wilson's opinion and received an af-
frmative answer The Italian dele
CATION met at 4:30 o'clock to take up
the note but had hardly begun its con-
sideration before an afternoon news
paper was brought in and the Italians
were dumbfounded, the premier said,
to find Mr.. Wilson's note printed there.
The surprise Of the Italians was in
tense, Signor Orlando continued to
learn that a document so vital had
been made public in such a manner
,, and at first doubled its authenticity.
These doubts were soon removed and
the delegation at once deliberated up
on the consequences OF its publication.
After a discussion which lasted until
six thirty o'clock, the Italians consid-
cred It necessary to make known their
surprise to France and England, sig
natories to the London treaty and ad-
dressed a letter to those two powers,
pointing out the impossibilfty OF con-
tinuing to participate usefully IN the
peace conference.
Regret was expressed that Mr.. Will
sons statement which came at the
very moment the Italian delegation
was making supreme effort to reach
settlement had made that effort i'm
possible, the premier concluded.
NOTE is THUNDERBoLT
LONDON, April pa thunder.
bolt" "a bomb she'll" IAN appeal to
Caesar" and other descriptive expires.
sions are used by this morning s
newspapers in connection with Presi.
dent Wilson's decoration on the Ital-
| ian situation. The presidents step is
treated as dramatic development at
the peace conference by most Of the
journals Apparently halted temper
arily by establishment, some newspa
pers refrain from making any com
ment
Everywhere Mr.. Wilson's action is
regarded as having created most
serious situation, the unfolding OF
which will be watched with anxious
interest. Such editorials as appear
were manifestly written with an eye to
Italy's possible withdrawal from the
conference, though Premier Orlando's
announcement of his decision to quit
Paris had not reached London when
the papers were published.
Sees Breaking Point.
The Daily News under the heading
''the breaking point" calls attention tt
the grave crisis"
| A conviction that President Wilson
would never have taken such a steI
except as last resource after the fail
ure of all private negotiations is voic
ed by the Express. ''It would be idle
to speculate on what will follow" the
newspaper says. "The two antagonis
tic principles which have been more
or less in yelled conflict, Throughout
the deliberations of the conference are
now met in a death grapple. One OF
the other must yield and the defeat o.
either will in all probability be final
II Mr.. Wilson's principles prevail al
claims such as those Italy is now ad
vancing must be abandoned perman
emily. II on the other hand Premiel
Orlando's claims are recognized, theI
there is an end to the principle Of self
determination everywhere"