Evening star., 1920-02-27
The Adriatic Issue.

treaty and become member OF the
league of nations the Presidents Wig
orous intervention in the Adriatic dis
pute is thoroughly justifiable. If we
are going to reject the Paris treaty and
refuse to become a member of the
league of nations either by the Sen
ate's direct refusal to ratify or by
presidential withdrawal Of the treaty,
then the European victor allies in the
world war must 60 ahead without him
dtrance or interference to promote en-
during peace in the old way, by max
ing themselves secure in military boun-
daries against future reprisals by the
now disabled enemy.
The issue of treaty ratification or re-
lection ought not to be postponed until
1T can be decided as an issue in the
next presidential election. 1t ought to
be decided quickly. one way or the
other. Since we are evidently not to
become a pember of the league of ma
tions unless our membership is safe
guarded by strong Americanizing reser,
vations, the question should be soon
answered whether the President and
our associated nations will permit us
, to be members, if our membership is
thus safeguarded.
In the Adriatic correspondence now
made public President Wilson has de-
clared that he must stand by his state
ment of February 10. in which he OBJ
jected to any departure from the al
lied agreement of December @, regard
ing the settlement of the Italian -Jugo-
slavic claims. The entente premiers
have expressed their "consternation" at
the possibility of withdrawal by the
United States from the European set
Elements. Their rejoinder to the Pfesi-
dents latest note. dated February "a,
has just been received here, and on it
may turn the future part of this coun-
try in foreign adjustments.
Briefly stated. the President proposes
to permit Italy and Jugoslavia to nego-
tiate directly with each other. with the
clear understanding that no agreement
they may reach shall extend beyond
their own borders or. include others
than. their own nationals. If such
negotiations fail the differences should
he worked out in q new conference be-
tween Great Britain, France and the
United States.
On both sides in this correspondence
is manifest an explicit recognition of
the necessity of the heartiest eo.opera-
tion. The net result will probably be
that if the treaty is ratified with resef-
vations the matter will be left in
proper shape for the United States to
come in to further negotiations. Other
wise, if the entente powers proceed
with settlement in disregard Of the
Presidents views and in modification
against his protest of the agreement of
December 9, an effective reason will be
furnished for the rejection of the
treaty.
The effect of. this correspondence
should be to promote ratification. AL
ready there are signs Of such a weak
ening of the blockade in t Senate as
to permit an approving vote soon. The
ratification, it is now evident, will. if
made ut all, be accomplished with such
Amefieanizing reservations as will not
afrsht the allied and associated pow
ers. The league of nations. so estab-
Gshed, would have an immediate op-
portunity to function in the Adriatic
case. if not settled meanwhile through
direct negotiations.
Neither side in the present situation
efa anord to hold to position Of alb
solute decision. The allied govern
menfs cannot rightfully expect the
United States TO agree to a settlement
differing from that of December 9, to
NhieASit subscribed, which violates its
definite principles of self determina-
ton, in behalf of which the President
declared it entered the war. Nor can
the President expect the European
bowers to yield the whole ease TO him
tnlese, in departure from the league Of
fatlons plan, the two parties to the
dispute select him as umpire, with the
3onsent'of the other nations.
The Adriatic settlement is probably
krou9f nearer by this exchange of
Totes, even though If might at first ap-
pear te have been retarded or made
hore difficult. The plainest fact in
the tase is that Great britain and
france want the United States to re-
main as factor of International adjust
meht, regarding a possible withdrawal
as calamity. 1t is also plain that the
President stands firmly for a settle,
ment ;hat will respect the principles
of self-determination and do a min
imum of injustice to the complex mix.
ture of races and nationals in the re-
gion involved. These facts should be
effective in bringing about the ra,i
fcation of the treaty, with proper reser
vations, and in promoting settlement
in the Adriatic that will tend to serve
al an insurance against future war.