The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-01-04
tered vastly on war aims-or peace

Wilson's Balkan Policy.
[By Robert J. Bender. United Press
STAFF Correspondent
ROME. Jan. 4.-President Wilson's
strategy in going straight to thu
heart of the Balkan situation. was
discussed by the people and politi-
clans alike today. 1t has promoted
la freedom Of expression that Is ex-
Ipected to go far toward clarifying the
relations of Italy and the new Slavic
states, which have been somewhat
tense of late.
The presidents statement in his
/ speech before the chamber of depu-
ties yesterday evening that the Bal
kan peoples must now be indepen-
dent" was believed to be broad
hint that all Italo-Slays differences
must be adjusted and that Italy must
join the other associated powers in
promoting establishment OF a strong
Slavic nation.
/ The great difficulty among such
states as the Balkans has been that
they were always accessible to secret
influence; that they were always
being penetrated by intrigue of some
sort or another; that north of them
| lay disturbed populations which were
held together not by sympathy and
friendship. but by the corrosive
! force of a military power" the state
ment said.
| Now the intrigue is checked, and
the bonds are broken, and what we
are going to provide is new cement
to hold the people together. They
independent. They must now be in
dependent
II am sure that you recognize the
principle as l do-that it is not our
| privilege to say what sort of a gov
eminent they should set up. But we
are friends of those people, and it is
our duty to see to it that some kind
OF protection is thrown around them
something supplied which will hold
them together"
something approaching cabinet
matter-the conflict of Italian and
newspapers had predicted that Will
toward the transatlantic political
Itangle-would precipitate the crisis.
| The president also took occasion
balance of power"
I'VE know there cannot be another
balance of power" he said. THAT
has been tried and found wanting,
for the best of all reasons that it
does not stay balanced inside itself,
and q weight which does not hold to-
gether cannot constitute make
weight in the affairs of men.
Therefore, there must be some
thing substituted for the balance of
power. and am happy to find every
where in the air of these great
nations the conception that that thing
must be thoroughly united league
of nations"
1 The president visited historical
spots today and laid wreaths on the
tombs Of Emmanuel II and King
Humbert. He was shown about the
pantheon, the Roman forum and went
ito the Academy Liucei. After his
audience with Pope Benedict, the
president received a delegation OF
protestant bodies. During the after
noon he conferred with Premier Or.
lando, cabinet members and other
Italian leaders. The formal program
Of his visit in Rome closes tonight
with dinner at the Quirinal
great throng packed the capitol
last night when the citizenship OF
Rome was conferred upon the presi
dent. After the speeches by the king
and the president, Queen Elena, at
tired in gorgeous gown and wear
ing a jeweled crown, walked through
the reception room, clinging to the
presidents arm. Between bows in
J. response to salutations from every
side, the queen and the president
chatted and appeared to be enjoying
themselves.
|, Mrs. Wilson wore filmy dress of
blue and grey, embroidered with gold
Miss Margaret Wilson was attired in
a light green gown.
When the presidential party left
the capitol there was huge crowd
massed outside, despite the lateness
of the hour. They were nearly pushed
!, off their feet by the cheering people.
among whom were a numbr of sol.
diers. They drove back to the palace
: in closed carriages.
Responding to the tender of member
ship in the Lincei academy. President
!, Wilson today said he hoped scientists
will devote their studies to the crea-
ton OF new basis of friendship for
humanity, in order to blot out the
; stain which resulted from science
developing engines for destroying
. humanity.
Before going TO the academy. the
president visited the Garibaldi statue
and toured the poorer sections of the
city. This addition to his program
was firing, but the president declared
; he was feeling fit.
The president will go to Genoa to-
morrow, where he will remain three
hours. He will spend Monday in
/. Milan and Turin.
Complete Agreement.
PARIS. Jan. 4-Presidant Wilsnn