Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-01-03

on Italy by the belligerents on both
sides to induce her to enter the war;
The Italian national spirit was aroused
and the public demand for the re-
demption of the lands populated by
Italians, but under Austrian rule, be-
came strong. Austria offered Italy
some territorial concessions, but not
enough. The entente allies, on the
other hand. recognized all of Italy's
claims and promised, in the event of
victory, to give Italy not only the
Trentino and Trieste but the entire
Dalmatian coast.
Bargain Sealed in Secret
This bargain, made before the as
pirations of the Jugo-Slavs for freedom
had taken such concrete form and be-
fore the United States had entered
the war and President Wilson had set
forth the principle of self-determina-
ton, was sealed by the "secret" agree
ment of London which did not long re-
main secret. There is every reason
to believe, however, that Serbia was
| not consulted in the matter and that
her interests were entirely disregard
ed
Serbia, which had sacrificed so much
in the war, was justly indignant when
the bargain became known but to her
everlasting credit it may be said that
this little country, even though con-
i sidering itself betrayed, did not fall
/ ter in it's loyalty to the allied cause.
Serbia often Wronged.
The history of Serbia is full of in
! justices wrought upon her by more
powerful neighbors, and of disappoint-
ments in her efforts to reach an out
/ let to the sea.
There can be no doubt that the un-
rest caused thereby contributed in
some measure to the outbreak of the
world war, and there can be no further
doubt, that. if the Jugo-Slavs, of which
again cut off from suitable outlet to
the sea by the treaty of peace the un.
rest in the Balkans will continue.
1t would seem that there must be
concessions on both sides if this matter
is to be settled. The Jugo-Slavs, per
haps, will have to consent to the cedins
Of. say, the whole Istrian peninsula tc
Italy This will leave a considerable
portion of Slav peoples under Italiar
rule. but it will provide Italy with tive
great ports on the eastern side of the
Adriatic-Trieste, a city of great com
mercial Importance, and Pola, the
great naval base These will serve II
make the Adriatic safe for a power
like Italy.
If Italy. on her side. will consent t,
make Trieste free port this city will
become. the great commercial Quite
for Germany, Austria, Hungary, and
large part of Jugo-Slavia If. on tn
other hand, Italy insists on enforcin;
Italian customs dues at Trieste. it /
not unlikely that the city will be RUNE,
commercially.
May Compensate Italy.
Some compensation in other quar-
ters will have to be made by the allie
, to Italy for what they promised if thei
promises cannot be fulfilled Italy is il
! great need of industrial and financia
: help. She needs money and raw mate
rials. 1t may be that the allies will b
: able to compensate her for giving u
, the Dalmatian coast by furnishin
these.
The United States, controlling as
does, great sources of raw material
| and the vastest wealth of any natio
) on earth, will be able to exert great iT
] fuence on both Italy and Jugo-Slavi
to bring about the most equitable CON
4 ! promise possible. In order that ou
: ! delegates to the peace conference ma
be able to do this, however. it is nee
essary that our own government b
backed by an Informed public opinio
: which will insist that the rights 0
: peoples be not bartered away and tn
8 future peace of the world endangere
e in order that the ambitions of ind
: vidual nations may be satisfied TIL
settlement must be one Of right, nc
r one IT convenience.