The sun., 1919-05-22

vantages which their III considered con-
duct might bring upon them. The chief
danger to them would be the lasting
enmity of the southern Siav people and
probably the enmity Of the Italian people,
who would quickly discover and resent
the fact that Italy had been given in
return for her effort and sacrifice during
war some thousands of square miles OF
barren rocky territory inhabited by a
hardy and embittered population.
In the nature of things, such resent
ment on the part OF Italy would not tend
to improve the relations between her
and France and Great Britain.
The record of British and French
diplomacy I'm regard to Italy during the
war and during the Peace Conference
has indeed been deplorably narrow
minded and lacking in constructive
ima gination. II, instead Of assuming an
attitude Of formal but sterile rectitude
and allowing themselves to be terrorised
by the Italian propaganda cry that for
France and England treaties weren't
scraps OF paper" the British and
French diplomatists had sought to pro-
mote the 1tslo-JuEo-S agreement and
had offered Italy their support in obtain
ing for her adequate commercial, eco
nomlc and territorial compensations for
the regions assigned her under the
Treaty Of London the whole dispute
might long since have been settled, and
the italian people might have been con-
WINGED that their allies were better
friends Of Italy than her own Govern
ment.
Il is perhaps not too late even now
for this course to be pursued. but before
Il can be pursued with any chance Of
rapid success the evil Of secrecy which
has vitiated the whole position must
be removed.
Urges Treaty ne Published.
A beginning might be made by an
official publication Of the authentic text
or the Treaty OF London. with all It's
additions. The publication might be
accompanied by an explanatory state
ment giving az nearly as possible the
populations OF the areas in dispute in
Guiding those Of the Dodecsnese, which
the treaty assigns TO Italy. Similarly
the suggestions OF the British and Amer
lean experts for an Adriatic settlement
with statistical explanation of the popu-
lations affected might be made public
At the same time the Italian Govern
ment might be officially informed of the
economic and territorial compensation
including the allotment OF tonnage to
Italy and Jugo-Slavia, which the British
and French and eventually the United
states Governments would be disposed
to OFFER to Italy In the event OF her ac-
ceptance OF reasonable Adriatic solu-
tion-a friendly intimation being given
that In the event OF the rejection OF this
offer It, too, would be made public 80
as to enable the allied and Italian peo-
Piles TO judge the issue.
In some such way the ban OF secrecy
might be removed from this. the most
urgent of the questions still awaiting
settlement at the hands OF the Peace
Conference. From the very beginning
OF the war those acquainted with the
play OF forces In Central and South
eastern Europe have foreseen that the
1talo-Jugo-Slav problem would be one
OF the key" questions OF the whole
peace settlement. Undeterred by rldi-
cule and abuse they strove TO spread
the knowledge OF II and TO work for n
friendly solution before 1t became en-
venomed
A year ago. the basis for a happy So
luton which would have given Italy
the moral leadership Of all the young
nations OF Central and Southeastern
Europe was indeed found but Bare
Sonnino and his advisers undermined Il
and reverted to the Treaty of London
Now no mere application OF superior
counter pressure against the pressure
which. with the London Treaty az a
lever. he has constantly applied to the
Allied Governments. can avail TO avert
grave misunderstanding. Publicity
coupled with honest consideration OF the
true interest OF Italy and the sollcitude
for her permanent welfare can alone
cure the evil before IL becomes chronic