New-York tribune., 1920-02-27

that the guarantee of the league of
nations is worthless and that the Ital-
Ian government does not intend to
abide by treaty into which il has
entered. The President cannot but
regard this implication as without
oasis and as contrary to his thought
IN his view the proposal to connec,
tlume with Italy by narrow strip
OF coast territory is quite imprsc-
ticable.
"As he has already said, it involves
cXoraoroInary complexities in customs
control. coast guard services and other
related matters. and he is unable to
detach himself from the previous views
CT the British and French governments.
AS expressed Jointly with the American
government in the memorandum of
December 9, that the plan appears to
run counter to every consideration of
geography, economics and territoria,
convenience. He further believes that
20 have Italian territory join Fiumc
would be to invite strife out Of which
annexation might issue
Therefore, in undertaking to shape
the solution 50 as to prevent this he
is acting on the principle that each
part of the final settlement should be
based upon the essential justice of
that particular case. This was one of
the principles adopted by the Allied and
associated powers as basis for treaty
making. To it has been added the
provisions of the league of nations. but
u has never been the policy of either
TINS government or it's associates to in
woke the league Of nations as guar
antec that a bad settlement shall not
become worse. The sum of such ac-
tlons would OF necessity destroy faith
IN the league and eventually the league
itself
Welfare of Albanians
"The President notes with satisfac-
ton that the governments of Great
britain and France will not lose sight
OF the future interests and well-beine
or the Albanian peoples. The Ameri-
can government quite understands that
the threefold division Of Albania in the
Britlsh-French agreement might be
most acceptable to the Jugo-Slav gov
ernmelnt, but it is just as vigorously
opposed to injuring the Albanian peo-
pie for the benefit Of Jugo- -Slavia as it
IS opposed to njuring the Jugo- Slav
people for the benefit of Italy. 1t be-
Ileves that the differences between the
Christian and Mahometan populations
VIII be Increased by putting the two
sections under the control of nations
OF unlike language, government and
economic strength. Moreover, one part
would be administered by the Italian
government, which is represented on
the council Of the league, the other
part by the Jugo-Slav government
which has no such representation,
Therefore, to alter or withdraw the
mandate at some future time would be
Well-nigh impossible.
"Regarding the Treaty Of London
the French and British Prime Min
listers will appreciate that the Ameri
can government must hesitate to speak
with assurance, since it is a matter in
which the French and British govern
ments can alone Judge their obligations
and determined their policies. But the
President feels that it Is not improper r
to recall few Of the arguments which
have already been advanced against
thls treaty-namely, the dissolution of
Austria Hungary, the secret character
Of the treaty and its opposition to the
principles unanimously accepted as the
basis for making peace. In addition
ne desires to submit certain further
considerations
Treaty Already Ignored
"1n the northern italian frontiers
asteeiHeHtS nave ALREADY been reached
which depart from the Treaty Of Lon
don line, and which were made with
the understanding that negotiations
were proceeding on quite new basis.
1T has been no secret that the parties
to the treaty do not themse selves now de-
sire 1t and that they have thus far re-
Trained from putting its provisions into
effect.
"1n mutually disregarding their Sc,
cret treaty commitments the parties to
the treaty have recognized the change
in circumstances that has taken place
IN the interval between the signing Of
the secret treaty and its proposed exc
cutlon at the present time. For nearly
eight months discussion of the Adratic
problem has proceeded on the assump,
tlon that "a better basis for an under
standing could be forod than those
provided by the Treaty of London.
The greater part Of the resulting pro-
posals have already received Italy's as
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