Omaha daily bee., 1920-02-09
The Treaty of London
From the New York Times.

Doubtless the lJugoslav government, in re
fusing to accept Mr. Nitti's latest proposal fol-
the settlement of the Adratc question felt it
self under pressure from public opinion. Mr.
Nitti for that matter, had his troubles with pub
lie opinion in making the proposal; any settle
ment that both nations could accept would
seem outrageously unjust to a considerable ele'
ment in each. But at the present stage of the
controversy expediency is in question quite as
much as strict~justice, and it was undoubtedly
inexpedient for the Jugoslavs to prolong the
dispute.
1t is not to be supposed that the Jugoslav
government wants war; on the contrary, IT
would continue the negotiations, but on the
of last year. But this is not last year, and Mr.
Nitt's compromise offer probably represented
the last concession that could be obtained from
Italy. The Italians represent the Jugoslavs as
still expecting American support, but this is
hardly likely. 1t is more probable that the
Jugoslavs do not believe the Italian terms are
final, that they still hope for some further con-
cession. When the Italian proposal was de-
livered it was understood that the Jugoslavs
found it acceptable except on minor points not
worth lighting over, and every day OF delay
in the settlement Of the question makes war
more likely. Dispatches from Paris seem to in
dicate that in their latest reply the Slavs have
gone even further and raised again points which
they had already conceded. That is poor way
to reach agreement.
There can be no alternative to agreement
but war. The international structure which
year ago might have exerted some sort of pres
sure on the disputants is now broken down.
France and England Italy's partners in the
Treaty of London, accompanied the last Italian
proposal with note to Jugoslavia threatening
the execution of the Treaty of London if the
compromise was not accepted. This threat was
not likely to frighten the Jugoslavs, whatever
effect it might have had elsewhere. The Italians
have occupied since the armistice all the Istrian
and Damaton territory assigned to them by
the Treaty of London. Originally it was an
interallied occupation, but Italian troops were,
of course, in an overwhelming majority; and
conditions became SO uncomfortable for troops
of other nationalites that in the end practically
all had to get out, and for some time past Italy
has held the territory alone
Then what does the execution of the Treaty
of London mean, as between Italy and Jugo-
slavia? 1t means that the Italians must get out
of Fiume. which they surrendered under the
treaty. Nobody supposes that England and
France mean to execute the treaty by putting
D'Annunzio out, nor does anybody suppose that
the Italians will begin by themselves putting
him out. If the present attempt at settlement
by negotiation fails, and the Adriatic dispute
has to be fought out, there will be no pedantic
insistence on treaty terms; it will be war of
conquest for whatever either side can get out of
it. 1t will be very bitter war. hard-fought
war, and war that can hardly fail to be dsas-
trous to both sides, however the purely military
issue may turn.
The danger grows with every day that the
governments argue, while the irreconcabes
behind them gain in strength.