Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-27

American Government the terms of
the peace settlement must continue to
be formulated upon the basis OF the
principle for which America entered
the war.
The use of the words "important,'
must" and continue in this para
graph Of the note were carefully
weighed by the President, and it is not
believed here that their meaning will be
lost upon the British and French Pre-
miers.
Emphasizes His Declaration
The President not only authorized
Secretary Polk to send a note which
again" thus stated the Presidents po.
sition. but this declaration was intended
to be given additional emphasis by the
statement that the President feels 1t
important" to say this again.
The President also indicates the posi-
tveness of his stand by saying that the
terms of the peace settlement must
be made according to certain principles.
His use of the word continue Is sig
nificant because clearly susceptible OF
the Interpretation that the President had
In mind not only the Adriatic but the
other unfinished work Of the Peace Con-
ference, including the Turkish question,
and is as interested in seeing the prin.
ciples for which he is fighting observed
in the Turkish as IN the Adriatic set
Elements.
1T has never been the policy of either
this government or its associates says
the Presidents latest note. Ito in
woke the League of Nations In a guar
become worse. The sum Of such actions
would of necessity destroy faith in the
league and eventually the league itself.
Hits Treaty OF London
The President not only reiterates his
objections to the secret treaty OF Lon
don, pointing out that in the matter OF
the northern Italian frontier agreements
already reached there was a departure
from the treaty of London line in con-
ducting the negotiations on quite
new basis and he objects to any
plan for the coupling of the treaty of
London. as IAN obligatory, alternative
to the Adriatic settlement
The latest American note declares
that such coupling as proposed by
England and France came as sur
prise" to the President because the
American Government had already by
the agreement of December entered
into a distinct understanding with the
British and French Governments re-
garding the basis of settlement
The use of the word 'threat" by the
British and French premiers in their
note of February II by way of their
interpretations of the Presidents warn
ing that he would seriously consider the
withdrawal of the two treaties from the
Senate. is met by the use Of the word
threat" in the Presidents reply Of
February "a: 4.
BY their action Of January IA the
Government of the United States
confronted with definite solution, to
which was added. on January 70, a
threat to, fall back upon the terms OF
the treaty of London.
The President not only regards the
ultimatum to Jugo- -Slavia as a
threat" but asserts that "this course
was followed without any attempt to
seek the views of the American Gov
ernment or provide opportunity for dis
cussion." The American Government
regarded the attitude of France and
England toward Jugo- Slavia as involv-
ing both threat" and "ultimatum.' A
Millerand- -Lloy d George note had sought
to shake President Wilson in his belief
that an ultimatum was presented to
Jugo- SlaVla.
Fair Compromise"
"'The British and French premiers
would point OUT they asserted in their
note of the 18th, that this declaration
is not, as the American Government
would appear to think, an ultimatum to
Jugo Slavia on behalf of Italy.
The declaration there in regard to the
enforcement of the treaty (of London)
was an attempt to promote prompt
settlement of this dangerous contro-
versy by pointing out to both sides that,
IL they could not agree upon a settle
ment which, after long negotiations,
seemed to be a fair compromise between
their conflicting views, the only alterna-
tive was an agreement which was less
palatable to BOTH
Despite this description by the pre-
miers Of the communication that was
sent to Jugo- Slavia on January 20,
the understanding of President Wilson
Is that an "ultimatum" was handed to
the Jugo- Slav delegation which stated
that they had four days in which to
plan, and IL their answer were no"
then the treaty of London would be
applied. From time to time extensions
have been granted to Jugo- -Slavia. and
there has yet been no attempt made to
enforce the so-called "ultimatum."
In his note of February 10 President
Wilson spoke with great candor and
franknsss in his discussion OF the atti-
tude of Italy and what he says in that
note will probably not win him any more
friends in Italy than did his famous
statement of April 90. 1919, in which
he went over the head of Premier Or
lando to the italian people on the Fiume
question. The British and French pre-
miers In their note of the 18th replied
that Italy, relying on the word of her
Allies, as given in the secret treaty Of
London, had endured the war to the
end and declare that Italy suffered a
loss in killed OF over SOC, 900 men and
'in wounded three times that number,
while her people are burdened by crush
ing debt"
.. Appreciates Italy's Work
President Wilson's reply subscribed to
the sentiments expressed by England
and France regarding Itsly's ''partici-
patton in the war;" saying that the
United States Government has repeat
edly expressed its sentiments apprecia-
tive of the vital consequences of Italy's
participation and sacrifices in the war.
But the President insists, such
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