El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-02-12

WASHINGTON, D. C.. Feb. 1.-THE
w refusal Of the Jugo-Slavs to ac-
cept what amounts 10 an ulti-
uatum served upon them by Britain
and France in the matter Of Fiume
and the whole Adriatic dispute Is a
natural and logical consequence OF
the course OF president wilson in
dealing with this difficult problem
more example OF the weakness Of
principles OF abstract justice unac-
campanied by any effective force
President Wilson's decision in the
clusion that the terms Of the secret
treaty Of London made Between the
British. French and Russians on the
one hand and Italy on the other made
with the express purpose OF enllsting
italy in the war, were inequitable, so
far as they deprived Slavs Of the
night OF self determination and placed
in Italian hands territories which
we're clearly Croat and Serb. was in
escapahle- So also VAS his opposi-
ton TO the inclusion Of Fiume within
the frontiers Of Italy, which would
put the Italians in possession OF the
single satisfactory sea gate for Jugo-
Slav commerce
Result Of Wilson's Course
But Il vas one thing TO decide on
the merits OF the dispEte; it was
another TO undertake TO fortify SlaV
AIF. Wilson had declared against the
Italian claims, it was certain that this
encouragement would lead the Slavs
themselves TO stand firm for their
was calculated TO remove all readi-
ness on the part Of the Belgrade gov
eminent to compromise
Moreover. when Britain and France,
honestly anxious TO aid the JugO-
Slavs so far as was possible, but
IHHHHI Ha q
both because Of their signature at
tached TO the treaty CT London and
because Of the general European
situation, undertook 10 find a basis
president in declining 10 be party
TO any such arrangement Still fur
Their fortified the SlaTs IN their de-
termination TO maintain their rights
In this situation the United States
had still a remedy 1t could have de-
its financial and other assistance.
even break off commercial relations
with Italy, If the Italian government
persisted in a course which seemed to
the president immoral
Settlement Possible Long Age.
A settlement Of the Adriatic ques-
ton would have been possible at
Paris months ago, If the president
had been willing 10 accept any com
premise based upon the European
facts. OF II he had been prepared 10
SUPPORT the IuEG-SlaT claims. which
he had recognized as lust ia his pub
lie utterance. But any compromise
would have meant the invasion OF the
principles he had adVOcareds any en-
plOyment Of force, however. removed
from military or naval circumstances.
would have meant an international
Incident
President Wilson would do neither
enc thing nor 1he other Having
proclaimed a policy which was just
having advocated principles which
were beyond debate, he relied upon
the principles 70 do the fighting and
he destined both 10 give force TO the
PRINCIPLES OF 10 permit any com
promise which would eliminate the
ugly International crisis at the ex-
pelse Of the principles.
The result has been nearly a year
Of chaos
Meantime the dispute has not been
restricted TO Italy and the Jugo-Slavs. Z
On the contrary, IL was extended and ]
became the cause OF almost un- !
Drecedentsd Italian resentment, d. ]
rected chiefly At the French, but also /.
at the Americans and the British 1
France and Italy are today more un- /
friendly than they have been for 20 ]
years
Many see Reasons TO Fight.
Nor does the incident end with
france-lralian hostility. II has en-
1roiied Rumania and Jugo-Slavia. be- 1
cause the Rumanians have found 4
Italian support for their claims the I
portion Of the Banat awarded to 4
Serbia at Paris. The possibility OF a
clash between the Slar and the 1
italian has encouraged the Ru-
70 hope for an opportunity I.
70 invade the west while Italy in