Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-04-26
EVENTS OF A WEEK

The controversy over the claims Of Italy to territory
east Of the Adriatic. resulting in the return Of two Of the
Italian delegates to Rome, has overshadowed everything
else at the peace conference during the week. The con-
test centers around the city Of Fiume, ths>Dalmatian
coast and its hinterland, and the string Of islands which
border It. This territory is demanded by Italy, and is
also claimed by the Juso slavs and their immediate
neighbors, who represent that the greater part of it is In
habited by their own people, and that without it they will
be deprived Of that access to the sea which is theirs ~
right.
The situation at the conference has been deadlocked
Tor some time: There was no sign Of an agreement. The
italian Representatives had discontinued their meetings
with the other members of the council, having not apan-
doned the conference, but holding that as the situation
stood they could not participate usefully. Then came the
dramatic statement Of President Wilson, declaring that
under the changed conditions the territory in question
was not needed by Italy; that in justice to the smaller
nations it could not be so granted; and that the United
states. being a party to no treaty or agreement with
reference to it, could not be held bound by the treaty Of
London which had provided for its disposition.
+.
President Wilson'S statement seems unanswerable.
But the manner Of it's delivery apparently leaves much
to be desired, although all comments on such matters
must be made with the reservation that conditions con-
corning which the distant public could not possibly have
oSs" AAA0AAASu AAdy AlSIeQ &c JUSTLY q course Otner-
wise exceedingly unwise. The Wilson statement, it APP
pears, was published in the Paris newspapers before II
had, been received by the Italian delegates, and Premier
Orlando responded with a very natural protest against thu
discourtesy thus shown to him and his associates. The
statement is interpreted as an appeal to the Italian people
directly over the heads Of the accredited representatives
Of that people.
- . .
Premier Orlando and one or more Of his associates
LETT Paris for Rome, although it is stated positively that
by this step Italy does not. abandon the conference. and
that if not represented there for a time directly her in
terests Will be cared for by Great Britain and France.
These recent developements leave the entire situation in
doubt 1t is evident that there must be some solution OIL
the problem. Peace must be brought about. The posit-
ion taken by President Wilson is one in which he will
almost certainly be supported by the, American people,
Tor 1ts Justice is apparent. On the other hand, the pride
OF Italy as we'll as her self-interest, has been touched,
q vain ltahan feeling aroused as it has been the italian
government winch should recede very materially FROM
the position which has been taken on behalf Of italy
would almost certainly have a brief existence.
Several elements of a hopeful nature exist. One Of
these is the fact that no great nation, and Italy perhap,
least OF all, can afford to postpone the contamination Of
PEACE an unnecessary moment. Italy especially faces
Both economic disturbance and political unrest. The
longer peace is delayed the more unsettled will condi-
uons become. 1t is to the interest Of each nation to put
forth its best effort for peace. Anything like war betveen
Italy and the United States is not to be thought Of But
1sainre to come to an agreement on this question would
1hsoNe n generation OF a feeling between the two coun-
ss1es "h'cn neither can afford, and which would work
sspA hardship on Italy. Italy needs American goods
aAnd American credits. She needs these on terms COM
1afDle only with mutual confidence and esteem. hence
tnis difficulty must be got out Of the way. There is fur
|f1NAr n mn&n ~ hounfn1ho.. 4. Il.
accidentally by Premier Orlando to the effect that he
never relied for the substantiation Of his c,a;r,s ~ IN.
treaty Of London, by which he knew that the United state.
Nas not bound, but on the principles Of right and Justice.
lt nay not be stretching the facts far to suppose that tb,.
- D g intended as an inttmation that Italy, in a spirit Of
gsassesass' intends to release Great Britain and France
from MI obligations under the treaty Of London and leav.
1tAsn free to consider her territorial aspirations with.
ant reference to that document, >4
srhs Italian incident has delayed the completion OF
s1k4 psace terms. ana the German ehtoys hAvA hAsr IN.
- 20 meet to receive the peace terms on May / instead
SNk april Is, as had been intended. So far a !. nun,c,v
IA n0snS the work. on the peace treaty remainine uneo,6.
11e9Ad.. ABIDE from the Italian adjustment, is Of q couhpar-
VI stye1y MINOR nature. Questions Of German boundaries,
sxA M Sef indennities from Germany. have all been arrans-
- &ssysrnl statements have Come from Germany to the
81 s1et thst the terms Is they are supposed to have been
S51fa 1pHhedssw VIII not be acceptAds This IL understood to be
S0e ssgeAse e~onsumption. q Germany q In no-eendiuon 70
10y a1H demands which the other nations Are DISPOSED
lil1S $500 But the possibility that the German government
81 1kseaks ~ estrsAas coarss q refndns 70 sien l. ac1
fSlkS5sa.A a q sun1srseeol that Marahai ,roch -,
S2lssespsdas miisas5 preservation u nsst mat esn-
S #%&aMMSsSaal 5 )
S1saeEsr General Burleson'sf arbitrary u. a. m
l6fsekAAs tsisnaph wires T. ezelude prs naGtss
@N1sSAakastsfsi = him had brought forth ! stsr4m
[e6f6eesal ~ 1ssssssn eharsss mr. thsrs AsA,soh-
%Tsek4isessai hin- me uispaseh from Wastinston
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