The sun., 1919-04-30
LODGE STANDS
BEHIND ITALY
Senator Says Her Possession
of Fiume Is Necessary to
National Safety.
NOT VITAL TO SLAVS
Telegram Indicates That Pres
ident's Course Will Be Criti-
cised in Next Congress.
NOT VITAL TO SLAVS
SpecinI Despntch 10 TIE SuN

WASHINGTON. April 90 Senator
Lodge tMass.). who will be Chairman
OF the Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee in the next Congress, tonight
sent a telegram to Italians in Boston
taking sharp issue with President VIII
son over his position in regard to the
italian claims for Fiume and the Dal-
matian coast.
The telegram was addressed to DR.,
Rocco Brindisi, president Of the Dante
Alighieri Society; Saverio Romano
president OF the Federation Figli di
Italia; Anthony Laureana, president
of the Federation OF Columbus Repub-
l!can Clubs; Pasquale Galassi. State
immigration Board. and others.
In view OF Senator Lodges position in
the Senate his telegram was looked upor
indicating that the Presidents cours'
with regard TO Italy is certain to caus'
criticism when Congress convenes. TIT
telegram follows:
the discussions OF the terms OF peace
I have always declared that the
region knewn as Italia Irredenta and
all adjoining regions where Italian
culture and Italian population are
dominant should be returned to italy
and that Italy should have military
and naval control OF the Adriatic, not
,I,-f O., L.
essential barrier against any future
attempt OF Germany TO attack the rest
Of the world as she did in the recent
war I have also said repeatedly
that the Jugo-Slav ought to have ac-
cess to the Adriatic, which I regard
as economically essential TO their in
dependence. To both these opinions
I adhere. and | can see no reason
why the matter could not have been
arranged.
From Information given me by an
Italian deputation. whom I saw last
spring In Washington. ! was assured
that Italy was entirely willing to give
portions OF the Dalmatian coast con-
tanning good ports TO the Slav popu-
lations Of that region. II this be true,
as have no doubt II is, l cannot see
why this arrangement should not
have been made.
The pact of London. according
TO the Presidents statement, provided
for the return OF Fiume TO Croatia.
but dissolution of the Austrian En-
pire has vtally changed the situa-
tion contemplated by the secret treaty
Of London and to that secret treaty
the United States was not a party.
| repeat that I think Italy should
make arrangements to secure an ac-
cess TO the Adriatic 10 the Slavic pop
ulations. which ! hope will form a
united independent barrier state
"As TO Fiume. II Italy Is OF opinion
that II Is necessary to her safety and
for her protection that she should
hold Fiume l am clearly of the opin-
ion that 1t should be hers. especially
as the people of Fiume ! understand
have voted to join with Italy. Italy
regards Fiume as the founders OF our
own Republic regarded the mouth of
the Mississippi when it was said that
any other nation holding the mouth
OF the Mississippi was of necessity
! an enemy of the United States. That
which we desire TO do for the Slavs
is purely commercial and economic.
| Italy's demand for Fiume rests OH
the ground of national safety and
protection.
Italy has fought side by side with
France, England and tho United
States and has helped enormously H.
repelling the German onset She has
sacrificed a half million Of her people.
She has burdened herself with heavy
debts. She has suffered grievously
in her industries and in her food sup
ply. She has taken possession OF
Fiume which was part OF the enemy
territory by her victory in the war.
| II do not see how the United States
| and other nations with whom she was
allied can properly refuse her re-
IL quest. earnestly hope that Fiume
may become an italian POSSESSION so
as to give her that security to which
her armies and her sacrifice entitle
| her"