Omaha daily bee., 1920-02-17
WILSON'S NOTE
IS BOMbSHELL
TO BR|T|SHERS
Viewpoint on Adriatic Cues
tion Considered UItimatum,
Though Washington
Says 1t Is Not.

dents words, fortified by news from
Downing street that the council had
not finished composing its answer
Nevertheless, Premier Millerand's
cheerful observation to the reporters
on Friday--"there Is not a cloud
ahead"--is taken as purely diplo-
matte optimism.
The afternoon papers displayed
stirring headlines, in which bomb
SHELF was the favorite word. If
hot bombshell, it was an entirely
unexpected ruffling of the waters
about the parliament houses. where
it appears to have been assumed that
SO long as America had not even a
representative at the conference
table, her voice would not be heard
in the debate.
Drafting Reply.
The supreme council engaged it.
self Monday in completing the draft
of its reply to the letter of Presi-
dent Wilson concerning the Adriatic
situation.
1t is stated authoritatively the
forecast of the allied reply published
in France should be taken with re-
4 serve. 1t also was stated that the
report from France that President
Wilson announced that the United
States would hold aloof from Euro
pean affairs unless the United States
was considered in the settlement Of
the Adriatic question was too sweep
ing.
The council will finally decide on
its reply to President Wilson Tues
day and it will Immediately be
eabled to Washington. The council
is cabling to the United States gov
ernment the reports on its delibera-
tions or decisions in which is con-
sidefs the United States is inter
csted.
Note Not Threat.
Washington, Feb 10. Decided
objection to recognition of a settle
ment Of the Adriatic question on
lines repugnant to those agreed up
on in the Treaty of Versailles and
not reconcilable with the principles |
embodied in the Ia points Of Presi-
dent Wilson was expressed by the
United States in the recent note to
the allied governments.
The note was not threat
to withdraw from participation in
European affairs, it was said official
ly at the White House, but said that
this country could not be party |
to the disposition OF Fiume as
agreed upon by the allied premiersN
without consulting the United |
States and consequently would not
concern itself with the questions in
volved, including the policies of the
Adriatic, if the settlement was en-
forced on the government of Jugo-
Slavia. |
Wait on Reply of Note.
The next step of the Washington
government waits on the reply of |
the allied premiers to the Ameri-
can note. The interesting suggestion
was made in official quarters that |
the United States might cease its
European relief work, which the al
lies have been anxious this country |
should continue. to keep down un- |
rest, if a modification of the peace
treaty were put into effect which |
the United States would regard rs !
cotnrary to the principles Q: self /
determination. ..
The facts wll;ch influenced the
Department OF State in frar:ns the /
new American "cte wer as follows:
Facts Behind Note.
December 9, last, at a meeting of |
the supreme council i'll Paris, a
settlement of the Adriatic question
was agreed upon which, to become
effective, required acceptance by !
both the Italian and Jugo-Slav gov
ernments. The basis of this, in brief,
was the creation OF buffer state of
Fiume and adjacent territory. and
America, as represented by Under
Secretary Polk, was party to that
arrangement.
After the withdrawal from Eu-
Europe of the American peace COM
missioners, and while the Adriatic
issue was still a subject of discussion
between the principals, meeting
was held in London OF the entente
premiers, Lloyd George, Clemenceau
and Nitti, and an entirely new plan
was drawn up without participation
by America and forwarded in the
shape of an ultimatum to the Jugo-
Slav government.
Other Substantial Additions.
The basis OF this was the recog-
milton of Italy's title. to much OF
the eastern coast of the Adrlatic and
Dalmatia, and there were other sub
stantial additions to Italian claims
which did not agree in principle
with the original understanding.
The latest American note was in
the nature of protest against this
method of procedure. 1t was not an
ultimatum or threat, but pointed
out that if persisted in this would
leave the United States in the posi-
ton of being expected to ratify
treaty which confirmed boundary
lines beyond readjustment which it
already had declared to be wrong.
And furthermore, it was recalled
that this latest move had been made
by the premiers without consulta
ton or advice from the Washing
ton government. though this coun-
try would be bound to abide by the
Results should it ratify the treaty.
French Reply Brief.
Paris, Feb. 10. - In semi-official
quarters it was said the allied reply
to President Wilson's memorandum
regarding the Adriatic settlement
will assure the president that the
allied proposal of January 20 is not
so unfavorable to the Jugo-Slavs as
he believess
4 The note will be brief, consisting
of about $50 words, and according