The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1920-02-27
Published Notes Show That
While Appearing to "Stand
Pat" He Actually RecedeS.
NOLONGER THREATENS.
VIII Accept Solution Reached
by Italy and Jugo Slavs,
On Condition.
By DGUid Laurence
Especial corrsapondsnt Of the Eve
nina Worldly

1920 On the surface President
Wilson appears to be standing pat"
on the Fiume issue. Actually. how
ever. he has receded sufficiently to
permit Of a settlement between Italy
and Jugo-SlaVia.
Stripped OF diplomatic phraseOl-
ogy and legal discussions, the eI-
change Of notes just made public
places the President Of the United
States on record a. being willing
TO accept any solution which the
two most interested parties-Italy
and Jugo-Slavia--may reach, pro-
vided the settlement does not pre-
judice the interests OF Albania,
circumstance that Is not difficult Of
adjustment
The President, moreover, backs
down on his threat to withdraw the
treaty and American membership
in the League Of Nations II the mem
Orandum Of Dec. . is not accepted.
for since that proposal was reject
ed by Italy JugO-slavia has ap-
peared ready to negotiate . new
settlement
ALLIES AGREE TO CONSULT
WITH THE UNITED STATES.
The question Of American with
drawal really turns upon whether or
not the United States Is TO be con-
suited. The Allies have giyen assur-
ance that they VIII consult the United
States. what they forgot was that
although the United States has not
yet become a member OF the League
Of Nations, American Ambassadors
abroad should have been kept in-
formed OF what was going on, In re-
spect Of questions growing out OF a
treaty signed by the President. Amer
lean diplomats in Europe. however,
being anxious not 70 offend the SEN
ate, have refrained from meeting
with the Allied Premiers In formal
meetings Of the league. something
that has confused foreign Govern
nents and led 70 the present misun-
derstanding.
Secretary Lansing seemed TO take
the Wow that imperfect means OF
communication was responsible, more
than anything else, for the diver
gence of the Allies from the view
point sought 70 be established by. the
President. ana II is a fact that Mr..
Lansing urged Mr.. Wilson not 10 at
fix to his note threat 10 withdraw
the treaty. Mr. Lansing felt that
matters had not yet reached so cFtti-
cal stage and that an ultimatum
OF that kind might have a serious ef-
feet on the status oothe treaty In the
Senate where It might be construed
as justification Of the ideas OF the
Irreconcilablos. who all along have
been contending that n partnershIr
with European Governments was an
association with territorially ambl-
tiouB and selfish nations.
PRESIDENT REJECTED THE
ADVICE OF LANSING.
The President, however, took en-
phatic issue with Mr.. lansing and, II
rather summary fashion. ordered tn
note sent, threat and all. The note'
sent TO the Allies were. therefore. no
the work OF Secretary Lansing, bu
were written by some of the expert
who accompanied President Wilsoi
to the peace conference. The doCu
. ments were, however. revised by tn
A President, who is not yet stronl
, enough 20 write a diplomatic note O
such length without outside assist
r ance.
; The Allies contend that they dis
!, carded the memorandum OF Dec.
q largely because It was Objectionable I
T Italy and Jugo- -Slavia, and that the
started anew They are admittedly I
an embarrassing position because {
- the Treaty Of London, but the centrj
n fact brought out in the exchange {
notes Is that Great Britain, an
~ France were ready TO yield to practi
cal expediency in the Flume affair
appease Italy while President Wilso
I. was quite sure this would only mea
a temporary calm,
d From the viewpoint OF liberal
President Wilson's stanch refusal
ID allow expediency TO govern him in u
% Adriatic settlement Is n healthy retuI
"a TO the fundamental principles wliC
Ir So many OF his critics wished he hG
followed In the Shantung affair nv
m the Rhineland, both Of which settl,
ie ments were defended on the gro II
ay nf eNpedlency.
PUBLICATION OPENS A Me-
ERA IN DIPLOMATIC WORLD
IA Mr., Wilson's readiness TO take Il
"a world into his confidence on the dip!
OF mauc correspondence over Fiur
e "opens a new era In diplomacy. II h.
= Faissd among liberals hore the Iue
SPn OF how much moro tho Rreside