Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-02-05
Journal Correspondent Has
Frank Talk With Represen-
tatiVe Of Jugo-SIav States
Regarding Situation.
ROME Is DEMANDING
TOO MUCH, HE SAYS
Bulgarian Frontier Must Also
Be Dealt With Carefully;
PIebiCite for MontenegrinS
Is Suggested,
BY William Cook.
Especial Correspondent of the AIbu-
querque journal and n. Y. World.)
Copyright, 1919, by the Press Publish
ing Co.
Especial Wireless Dispatch J

ing Co.
Especial Wireless Dspatch.)
Paris, Feb. 4.-While the peace con-
ference discusses the future of the
German colonial empire, the league
of nations and the Russian question,
the time will soon come when the
delegates must turn their attention
once again to the European frontiers.
Among the most delicate of those
problems is that of the border of the
Jugo-Slav states and Italy.
Italy urges her claims on the
strength of the treaty Of London of
1915, while the Slavs insist that the
border should be determined by
racial considerations. Italy asks for
the provinces of Adelsberg and Ida,
the port of Fiume and the whole of
northern Dalmatia as far inland as
Kin, with the group of islands COM
prising Lesina, Lissa, Curzola, Me-
leda and Lagosta.
In a talk with DR.. Pavitchitch, a
member of the Jugo- Slav delegation
to the peace conference, | learned
that Italy's claims are considered to
be merely strategic in their nature.
With a colored map before us we went
ever the ground stretching from the
Adrfatic TO the Bulgarian frontier,
Dir. Pavitchich said his country,
men desired peace and were willing to
make reasonable sacrifices to that
end. The decision of the issue would
be gladly left to President Wilson,
he said, because his people have ac-
cepte1 the fourteen points laid down
by the president and they believe
he is strong enough TO impose his
doctrine upon the conference.
"ltaly's claims to the islands off
the Dalmatian coast he went on,
'seom to us aggressive and aimed at
the life of the young Jugo- -Siay ma
tion. 1t is like asking for the loan of
dagger in order that the borrower
may stab the leader. We are willing
to cede certain rights to Italy in Tri-
este, and if the peace conference
should decide to give that city over
to us, we may expect Italy to file for
NAL protest. If Fiume should be
awarded to Italy however we will fe-
fuse to adhere to the league of ma
tions."
Charges Breach of Faith.
who occupies E'iume and what
are the facts in the report that the
Austrian fleet hes been handed over
to the Jugo- Slavs?" | asked.
"Fiume is occupied by detachnents
of the allies he replied, principally
by Italians. We sent troops there.
Italy asked us to with lraw them,
promising that none of her own
would be landed. In order to avoid
friction we withdrew. Italy immedi-
ately landed r1en, who have been sta
toned there ever since.
1T was | who started the revolt of
the crews of the Austrian ships We
took possession in the name of the
Jugo -Slovaks. After the armistice was
signed Italian officers came from
Fiume and ordered many Of the ships
sunk, including the biggest dread
of the Austrian fleet, and
they were sunk.
"In the armistice terms no mention
was made of the Italian occupation
and possession of Fiume. 1t is essen
TALLY a Slav town, and it is necessary
for us to have it, for it is our only
important outlet on the Adriatic. 1t
is the only port on that coast con-
nected with the inland by a good rail-
road, running to Zagreb and thence
to Belgrade, our capital. Further
south there are two other ports. Mar
row gauge roads run from them to
about fifty miles inland but not touch
ing any town of Importance.
"As to the islands off Dalmatia,
they are absolutely Slav or Croatian.
Italy has not the slightest right to
them. There is not an Italian family
in any one of them. We will not OBJ
IN tho Irp nf to lia,, ,,Ia C.
in Idria, where there Is an Italian
to take possession Of the eastern side,
which is populated by Slavs.
what of the frontiers further
ireece?" / asked care you in ac-
.ord with those countries 2"
"Our coast line, by including Mon
stretches as far as Scutari,"
vas the reply. I'VE wish to main
ain good relations with Albania, but
We want an independent Albania.
We do not wish to see a protectorate
established over Albania. We are
specially adverse to an Italian pro-
ectorate. Cur country will be open
or Albanian and Greek commerce
md also to Italian commerce if Italy
hall become reasonable in regard to
rontiers. In respect to Greece. in
rider that good relations may con-
inue, we are leaving some 200. 900
;lavs in Greece. We want nothing
rom Greece, and / think Greece will
lot want anything from u.s."
As to Bulgar Frontiers.
What about the Bulgarian front
ers?"
I'VE shall ask for the rectification
Continued on PaGe Two.)