The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-01
The Case Of Fiume and Others .

Senator LODGE understands the
Fiume question as the practical states
man understands it, and he knows
what it means to Italy. The first law
of nature-self-preservation--is no
less to the nation than to the indi-
vidual. AS the trained interna tional
lawyer who for years has dealt with
the vital question Of the sovereignty,
the rights and the necessities Of gov
ernments Senator LODGE not only
feels but declares his ympathies with
Italy.
In expressing his approval of Italy's
stand Senator LODGE has not at.
tempted to cover the whole case in its
historical details. Italy's cause, how
ever, as on the open record Of nations
for anybody to read seems to have
more of the elements of strength than
are found on one side of any other
territorial dispute involved in the war
settlement.
Certainly there is none in which the
rule Of self-determination would pro-
duce a more unqualified decision.
Fiume is so determined to be a part
Of Italy that it has done its level best
through all its governmental instru-
mentalities to annex itself to Italy.
Its people overwhelmingly want to be
annexed; there is no doubt that his
torically, culturally, by any other test,
the city is essentially Italian.
Italy wants Fiume just as much as
Fiume wants Italy. Its appeal con-
fronts Italy with case similar to
that presented to the United States
when Texas knocked at our door. But
the case for union between Fiume and
Italy Is even stronger. A smaller per-
centage of people would have their
allegiance transferred against their
will; and no Government would be
deprived Of anything to which It has
sovereign right because Jugo-Slavia
is only just coming into sovereign at
tributes and has never owned Fiume,
never before claimed it,
The same meticulous opposition TO
execution of secret treaties applied in
the case of Kiao-Chou would of
course leave Japan with no leg to
stand ON in Its contention for that
region. Yet Japan IL getting the
substance Of what Japan wants there.
Japan. getting Kiao-Chou now, with
everybody's consent but China's, ere
ates for itself a Monroe Doctrine in
the East. while we are being asked
to give up our own Monroe Doctrine
in the West.
Yet apparently President WILSON
assents to all this as the price Of ia
pans adhesion to his League of Ma
lions. If the self-determination rule
were to be applied Shantung prov
ince would reject japan with as
much emphasis as Fiume has en-
braced Italy. In both cases self-de-
| termination has to be set aside; and
in both its rejection will surely have
the effect Of creating new irredent,
isms, new grounds for international
frictions. new troubles to be ironed
out by the League Of Nations-with
America furnishing the fuel to keer
the iron hot,
The Pact Of London did not give
Fiume to Italy. The fortunes Of wal
and the will of the peoples concerned
have done that. Italy was so cor
rect, however, in its procedure that
1t is now revealed that before sign,
ing the armistice Italy made the res
ervation that Italy's boundary settle
ments were not to be .prejudiced by
anything in the Fourteen Points.
President WILSON has urged that
the Hapeburg monarchy having ceased
to exist, Italy doesn't now need SC
much to guarantee its security in tht
Adriatic. But Italy, with back
ground OF $500 years Of history
knows 'Aat the eastern shore of thu