The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-16
French and British Call PreSi-
dents Bluff on Adriatic.
Too Late to Recall Ultimatum
to JugO-Slavs.
IGNORE WITHDRAWAL THREAT
Wilson's Charges Against Italy
Are Flatly Denied.
Note Too Broadly Interpreted
Declares White House.

Paris Feb. I6.-The Franco British
reply TO President Wilson's note
threatening American withdrawal
from European affairs if the allies
persist in their proposed settlement of
the Adriatic dispute without American
consent, declares Great Britain and
France are obliged to carry out the
terms of the ultimatum submitted to
! Jugo-Slavia, January 20, it was learned
| today.
| Jugo-Slavia either must accept the
solution offered by Great Britain and
France or they will support Italy in
carrying out the pact of London. the
note said.
The allied reply denies President
Wilson's accusations against Italy,
pointing out Italy's entrance into the
war and her sacrifices in wealth and
lives.
From other sources it was learned
that Premier Lloyd George and Miller
and are unchanged in their determina-
ton to carry out the ultimatum OF
January 20.
More Delay in Sight.
| Premier Millerand in an interview
today. admitted that President VIII
sons intervention in the Adriatic
questions had again delayed solution
of that problem.
THE reply which we (the big
threeD have drawn up to his note will
be submitted to him thru the Ameri-
can ambassadors in London and
| Paris" Millerand said.
while it is necessary to maintain
secrecy regarding the contents of this
document until President Wilson re-
ceives it, nevertheless it may be stated
that further delay. before we reach a
solution is inevita BILE"
Il Premier Millerand said he had no
Information of President Wilson's re-
ported intention to ask the recall of
Ambassador Jusserand.
Millerand will return to London
February %, he said. for a three day
session of the council of premiers,
when the Turkish and Russian ques-
tions will be taken up.
New Crisis Reached.
The apparent crisis brought about
by President Wilson's reported note
to the allies follows long controversy
in the efforts to settle the territorial
dispute in the Adriatic between Jugo-
Slavia and Italy.
When Italy entered the war on the
side of the allies, she obtained the
secret pact of Bondon granting her ex-
tensive concessions in the Adriatic in
the peace conference. however. Presi
dent Wilson insisted the United States
could not recognize this agreement
and secured a tentative agreement Sc
curing greater concessions to the new
Jugo-Slav nation.
ITALY bitterly resented the pres-
dents interference" and at the re-
cent conference Of allied leaders in
Paris brought about a so-called
compromise" agreement which was
sent TO Belgrade. The Jugo-Slavs re-
jected this proposal and virtually de-
fled the allied threat to enforce the
London pact. In her reply to the al
lied note JugoSlaYia accepted the
proposition that Fiume become a free
city under the League of Nations but
refused the allied plan to change the
so-called Wilson line" as boundary
between Italian and Jugo-Slav possess
sions.
The allies then granted Jugo-Slavia
an extension of time to reconsider
| their proposal. The whole affair was
scheduled to have been threshed out
at the present council Of premiers in
London. 1t was reported under dis
cussion when the presidents new COM
munication was received with the re-
ported threat OF American withdrawal
If the Wilson plan Of settlement as put
before the Paris peace conference was
not accepted.
Polk Confirms United States stand.
New York, Feb. 16.-Frank L. Polk.
acting secretary of state. today con-
tContiuued on Page Two.j