New-York tribune., 1919-05-01
Italian Chamber, 1872 to 40,
Upholds Stand on Fiume
and Senate Declares Its
Faith in His Policies
Socialists Alone Object
Premier Declares Nation
Hopes to Maintain Its
Alliance With Powers

ROME, April 80 (By The Associated
Press)-The excitement throughout
italy has abated after the vote In the
Chamber Of Deputies yesterday, ex-
pressing confidence in Premier Orlando
and the government. Everybody is
awaiting the effect the vote will have
on the attitude Of President Wilson
and the Allied powers, and the hope is
generally expressed that the peace
conference will see the necessity of
satisfying the italian claims. thus
avoiding complete rupture, which, it
is pointed out in certain quarters,
might lead to gravcr consequences.
The "Popolo Romano" sums up this
idea, saying: "The world is now con-
fronted with the following dilemma: {:
Either the five great powers must
agree on the Italian question or Italy
will be obliged to act independently of
the Others"
The Italian newspapers are less vehe-
ment in their attacks on President
Wilson, though the "Messaggero" sar-
castically refers to him as "Professor
Wilson," while the "Tempo" speaks Of
"President Wilson's obstinate saw
agery."
The Premier laid before Parliament
the details Of his demands for Fiume
and the Dalmatian coast district to
which Italy has laid claim. He began
by saying that the international situa-
tion was grave at present, adding that
it was "very grave" for Italy. He said
that 1t was the duty of Italy to pre-
serve an attitude of "calm and seren-
ity" at the present moment.
Outlines Wilson View
An outline of the exchanges between
himself and President Wilson was given
by Signor Orlando, who made it clear
that the Presidents action in making
public his statement as to Italy's claim
to Fiume had made 1t impossible to
either accept or reject any proposals
that might be made. He said he be-
lieved it his duty to come at once be-
fore the Parliament to receive author
ity in carrying forward his work at the
conference. Up until April ID, when he
received from President Wilson the
American viewpoint on Fiume, he said
he thought an agreement was probable.
In the course Of his address the
Premier spoke Of the attitude taken
at Paris by the British and French
governments, which he said had been
loyal to promises made in the treaty
Of London, which was framed In 1915.
He admitted, however, that both France
and Great Britain do not stand with
Italy in her demands for the annexa-
tion Of Fiume.
Might Have Agreed
He added that they might have
agreed, in principle, to the creation of
Fiume as an Independent state. In
discussing the American memorandum
which was handed to him on April ID,
and which was distributed among the
members Of Parliament to-day by the
Premier, Signor Orlando said:
"Inasmuch as this memorandum
denied Italy's rights over the Dalma-
tian Islands, accorded only incomplete
liberty to Fiume, and even went so
far as to break up the unity of Istria,
l told Mr.. Wilson it was absoluteIv
impossible for me to agree to peace
on the conditions indicated. added
that, under such conditions, the Italian
delegation felt 1t could not continue 70
participate in the conference with anv
benefit for others or dignity for Italv.
but said I would communicate with
representatives Of the Allied powers
with which Italy was bound by snecia,
agreements.
Says Wilson Showed Regret
president Wilson showed great ra-
gret for such hypothesis, adding he
would do everything possible to nre-
vent 1t. He said he thought it onnor-
tune and useful that France and Emo
land should undertake to find me,ns
or conclllation, while he would have
the question resxamined by his exnerts