Evening star., 1919-10-04
F|UME CASE HARD
TEST FOR LEAGUE
Observers Fear Arbitrary
Force in Other Places May
Be Encouraged.
QUERIES AS TO U. S. VIEW
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

What is Italy's game just now?
Does her government really approve
of the D'Annunzio venture in boldly
seizing Fiume while the peace con-
ference at Paris talks, or is the Itel-
Ian ssovefnment faue to face wffhefsff
war and really fearful of D'Annun-
Sto's strength sss.s.
Anybody who could answer these
questions accurately would know
the direction Of American policy In
the Adriatic.
Plainly the American. mission at
Paris is not altogether sure. and
more or less in the dark. But one
thing is rather definite. Italian SUBJ
jects. indeed a portion of the Italian
army, has seized by force a piece of
territory whose disposition has been
In dispute. Clearly. also, the Jugo-
slavs, from whom the territory has
been taken. are getting ready for
clares state Of war with ,Jugo-
slavia. Can the United States render
any decision in such circumstances?
Italy's Appeal to President.
Italy is appealing to President Will
son to solve the problem. He has
been asked to hasten his decision.
Some of the persons who are observ-
ing the situation closely say the
force the Presidents hand.
Mi. Wilson has answered. He is
unrelenting in his views about Fiume
But 1t would not be surprising II it
became known that he had also, re-
fused even to suggest settlement
while D'Annunzio remained in Fiume
where by arbitrary force a section of
the Italian army has violated the
armfstice agreement for the patrol Of
the territory on the western coast of
the Adriatic.
The Presidents central principle that
there must be discussion before there
is war has not yet been adopted by
signed the peace treaty with Germany
wherein that principle fs written. and
has also a treaty with the United
States requiring discussion of a year
before military force is resorted to.
But as between Jugoslavia, a new re-
mont. The peace conference at Paris
Is the only authority which can
straighten out the tangle.
Affects League Itself.
The Italian government fears the
consequence of DAnnunzio's act and
fears that any solution proposed may
come too late. The followers Of the
poet aviator are numerous and they
are arguing that possession is nine
points of the law. But If the doctrine
Of seizure of territory is to be al
lowed, even while the peace confer
ence talks, the main purpose for
which the President fought at Paris
will have been transgressed SO con-
spfcuously as to have an adverse ef-
feet on the moral strength of the
league of nations itself. 1t is quite
possible that an adjustment satisfac-
tory to the present Italian govern
ment may be reached eventually, but
the DAnnunZio coup d'etat cannot be
sanctioned by the United States gov
ernment.
Italy may not sign the treaty with
Austria or the American government
may never give it's consent to the
transfer of the territory to italy, or
vice versa. but SO far as reaching an
adjustment while D'Annunzio remains
in Ftume, the odds are against any
such result.
Italy officialiy deplores the Dan
ner ministers and delegates seek to
impress the United States government
that unless Fiume is given to them,
DAnnunzio will lead a successful rev.
Sh0CA SUCH CITCuIuStduCCbi
with President Wilson i'll and unable
TO give personal attention to any pub
Tic business, even of the most urgent
character. the responsibility for de-
cision must rest with Premier Gle:
menceau and Prime Minister Lloyd
George in conference with Frank L
Polk. the head Of the American mis-
sion.
To give Fiume to italy may prevent
an internal political crisis, but 1t may
not prevent war in the Balkans be-
tween Jugonlavia and the Italian
frontier troops. And just such racial
clashes in the Balkans have started
bigger fires burning.
The supreme peace council at Paris
| Is being put to the acid test and the
italian government must accept re.
| sponsibility for the Fiune AFFAIR and
secure the withdrawal of DAnnunzic
or the use of arbitrary force will be
encouraged elsewhere in Europe long
before the league of nations can gel
going and call Europe's malcontents
to order.
That seems to be the Washington
view Of the italian situation.
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