Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-04-24

henceforth to be safeguarded as scrupu-
lOusly as the interests of the most pow
, erfu states.
1.-The war was ended, moreover,
by proposing to Germany an armistice
and peace which should be founded
on certain clearly defined principles
which set up new order of right
and justice. Upon those principles the
peace with Germany has been con-
ceived, not only, but formulated Upon
those principles 1T will be executed
We cannot ask the great body of
powers to propose and effect peace
with Austria and establish new
basis of independence and right in the
states which originally constituted
the Austro-H Hungarian Empire and
! in the States of the Balkan group on
| principles of another kind. We must
apply the same principles to the set
| tlement of Europe in those quarters
that we have applied in the peace
with Germany. 1t was upon the ex-
plicit avowal of those principles that
the initiative for peace was taken. 1t
is upon them that the whole structure
| of peace must rest
"If those principles are to be adhered
! to- Fiume must serve as the outlet OF
the commerce. not Of Italy, but of the
land to the north and northeast Of that
port: Hungary. Bohemia. Roumania, and
the states of the new Jugo-Slav group
To assign Fiume to Italy would be to
create the feeling that we have deliberate
ly put the port upon which all those
countries chiefly depend for their access
to the Mediterranean In the hands of a
| ~ fnyr O n
integral part and whose sovereignty, II
set up there, must inevitably seem for.
eign, not domestic or identified with the
commercial and industrial life Of the re.
gions which the port must serve. 1t is
for that reason, no doubt that Fiumt
was not included In the pact Of Londor
but was there definitely assigned to the
Croatians, And the reason why the line
Of the pact of London swept about many
of the islands of the eastern coast which
lies most open to that sea was not only
that here and there on those islands. anC
here and there on that coast, there are
bodies of people of Italian blood anc
connection, but also, and no doubt chief
ly, because it was felt that it was neces
sary for Italy to have foothold amids
the channels Of the eastern Adriatic il
order that she might make her owl
|
of Austria-Hungary.
But Austria-Hungary no longer exists
a 1t is proposed that the fortifcation
, which the Austrian government con
structed there shall be razed and per
manently destroyed.
1T Is part also of the new plan o
European order which centers in tn
League of Nations that the new state
erected there shall accept a Limitation
of ornaments, which puts aggression
lout of the question. There can be n
. fear of the unfair treatment of group
of Italian people there, because ade
quate guarantees will he given unde
international sanction, of the equal an
equitable treatment of all racial or ma
tional minorities.
I'm brief every question associate
. with this settlement wears a new as
pect-a new aspect given it by the YER
e victory for right for which Italy ha
;. made the supreme sacrifice of bloc
and treasure. Italy, along with tn
four other great powers, has becom
y one of the chief trustees of the ne'
order which she has played so honor
s able part in establishing.
l. And on the north and northeast he
natural frontiers are completely re
!, stored, along the whole sweep of tn
Il Alps from northwest to southeast,
It the very end of the lstrian peninsuli
l. including all the great watershe,
Y. within which Triest and Pola lie, an
= all the fair regions whose face natur
has turned towards the great peninsul
N upon which the historic life Of the Lati
z people has been worked out throug
N centuries of famous story ever sine
II Rome was first set upon her seven hill
l. Her ancient unity is restored, her line
,r are extended to the great walls whic
Ia are her natural defense 1t Ia he
choice to be surrounded by friends:
l. exhibit to the newly liberated people
II across the Adriatic that noblest qualit
,e Of greatness magnanmity, friendl
E. generosity. the preference Of justice owe
ID interest.
THE nations associated with her. tn
nations that know nothing of the pa
IS of London or of any other special undel
3 standing that lies at the beginning of tn
H. great struggle. and who have made the
supreme sacrifice also in the interes
n not Of national advantage or defens
te but OF the settled peace of the worl
Id are now united with her older associat,
n In urging her to assume a leadersh
which cannot be mistaken In the ne
r order of Europe.
ny America Is ltalys friend. Her peop
n are drawn, millions strong. from Italy
&c own fair countrysides She is linked
blood as well as In affection with Il
en- Italian people Such ties can never
x broken. And America was privilege
pit by the generous commission of her ass
to ciates In the war, to initiate the pea
we are about to consummate-to initia
It's 1t upon terms which she had herss
ly formulated and in which was h
ed spokesman.
ed 'The compulsion is upon her to sQua
se every decision she takes part In wi
th those principles. She can do nothi
cd else. She trusts Italy, and In her tru
ty. believes that Italy will ask nothing
as her that cannot be made unmistakeat
ng
ira nontInuaA nm .,~~~ So..N