The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-23
SEEKING
A COMPROMISE
Might Yield Dalmatian Hin
terland if She Could
Gain Fiume.
KEEPS OUT OF COUNCIL
American Delegates Insist
That President Will Not
Yield on Port.
KEEPS OUT OF COUNCIL

PARIS. April 22.--Although the ltal-
according to authoritative announce
ment after the meeting OF the Council
of Four to-day, there were indications
of weakening on the part OF the Italian
delegation and an apparent willing
ness TO withdraw their demands for
the Dalmatian hinteriand II permitted
to have the coast. the coastal water
shed and Fiume.
Earlier in the day it was reported
that the Italians had rejected a com
promise which made provision for
the recognition Of their claim to F'iume
in exchange for the abandonment Of
their claim 10 the Dalmstion coast"
Although vittorio Orlando. the Ital-
ian Premier, did not attend the session
OF the Council OF Four to-day and
probably will not attend the meetings
in the future, the Inclination OF the
Italians for a compromise is looked
upon Ms encouraging by the Allies
who apparently are hopeful that an
agreement may be reached by mutual
concessions. Premier Orlando had a
series OF private conferences and ar
ranged meeting with Lloyd George
to-day with 3 view OF seeking a plan
OF adjustment
stubborn Talk by Italy.
In the face OF the apparent disposition
or the Italians for compromise mem
Der of tho delegation from Rome in
formed the Associated Press to-day that
the mission considered it useless to hold
further conferences unless the Allies
were willing TO grant Italian requests
According to this member OF the mission
the Italians remain innexible In their
determination that all the territory
granted TO them under tho London
agreement he allotted TO them with
Flume In addition. The indignation of
the Italians is as strong against the
British and French as il is against the
Americans, although the United States
IL not s!Rnatory to the London agree
meht. which provided that not one OF the
three nations-Grest Britain. France and
ltaly-~ould make II separate peace.
Before the reports OF the disposition
OF the Italians TO compromise. the break
between the Italians and the Allies ap-
peared we'll defined. The failure OF Pre-
mier Orlando 10 attend the meeting Of
The Council OF Four added to the chill
The American delegates continue to
insist that President Wilson will not
yield on the Fiume question. 1t was
learned to-day that it was al the sus-
sestion OF the italian delegation that
President Wilson remained away from
the meeting OF the Council OF Four yes
terday morning, when Prenliers Lloyd
George, Clemencesu and Orlando and
Baron Sonnino. the Italian Foreign
Minister, discussed the London agree
ment. The meeting among tho represen-
tatives OF the three signatories to the
agreement, il Is understood. was ex-
tremely unsatisfactory, az Italy in Insisted
that the compact should not be affected
by her subsequent agreement 10 the
fourteen points OF President Wilson
The Italian delegates, it is reported de-
manded the literal tuiilmeut OF the
promises previously made TO her.
Doubt ~ Italy Can Refuse.
The suggestion is widely circulated
tonight in Paris that Great Britain and
France cannot sign peace treaty with
Germany II Italy refuses. The sugges-
tion, however, apparently has not had
any great effect on the negotiations. as
the delegates expressed the opinion that
no single nation could AFFORD TO hinder a
peace conforming to the provisions Of
the armistice broadly and that rights
under secret treaties would be lightly
regarded by the peoples who are ella NOR
ing for settlement OF the world war
AS the United States is not a sigma
tory OF the London agreement not to
make a separate peace, even the most
serious break in the conference would
not prevent her from making a peace
with Germany under crisis which might
arise as a result OF European alliances.
But tho American delegates refuse to
give serious consideration 10 such an
eventuality.
The ambitions and rlValrles OF various
las.lers are ngur!ng largely in the pres
ent deadlock. Economic conditions are
so bad and food and coal are so scarce
in the European countries to-day that a
majority OF the peace delegates feel tina I
no important country will attempt to
continue lighting under conditions of
virtual isolation from the supply centres.