New-York tribune., 1920-09-12

How are we Americans concerned in
the question Of Fiume, Dalmatia and
the Adriatic Sea?
Why should /, private American
citizen, accept an appointment as rep
resentative in the United States OF the
Italian soldier-poet, Gabrielle d'Annun.
zio, whose occupation of the Adriatie
port of Fiume is one Of the most dra-
matte and outstanding events in the
| crowded and fateful history of recent
| times?
1t is precisely because I believe that
the final disposition of Fiume and Dal.
malta, involving control of the Adri.
attic, is of vital moment~to the Amer.
lean people that I have agreed to act
as spokesman for d'Annunzio, who him.
self speaks for 4o,0Oo,QO0 Italians
our allies in the greatest war of all
times.
1t is precisely because have at heart
the interests of my own country, in
terests in common with the whole West
ern civilization, confronted with the
menace of Bolshevism and Orientalism
that | maintain that Italy should have
what rightfully belongs to her.
l desire and every American should
desire the continued friendship of a ma
tion of 4o,ooo,ooO people who can
be our strong defenders on the frontiers
OF civilization. Now that we are in a
position to help them fortify them
selves for the future struggle it is a
counsel of ordinary prudence to range
them on our side.
Tne pity of it is, the irony of it is,
that the present government of the
United States was inveigled into a. COM
mitment against the claims of Italy,
alone taking the responsibility for this
commitment. Why, even now there is
an American fleet of warships in the
Adriatic, arousing the same feelings
in the Italian people as would a for
eign fleet in IDrg Island Sound, not
on a visit of courtesy, arouse in US.
Why is this fleet kept there? Only
the Administration knows.
Stolen by Hapsburgs
Italia irredenta, unredeemed Italy,
was like a watch and chain that had
been stolen from the italians by the
hghwaymen Hapsburgs. The watch
that is, Trieste and the Trentino-has
happily at last been returned to its
owner, but the chain-that is, Fiume
and a portion of Dalmatia-was handed
over to the Slavs of the south. Now,
the chain is as truly Italy's as the
watch; there is no more doubt of the
ownership of one than of the other.
Then, what justifies this trading in
stolen goods?
The history Of this grave interna-
tional injustice during and since the
peace conference can readily be fol-
lowed if we keep in mind three funda-
mental facts:
I. Jugo-Slav desire to grab every
thing possible.
2. England's desire to International
ize the port Of Fiume; that is, make it
virtually English for commercial pur-
poses.
3. Frances traditional and perfectly
Understandable fear of Itlay's becom-
ing too strong in the Mediterranean.
These reasons could not openly be
avowed at the peace conference, but s
campaign was started to place the
blame for decision adverse to Italy
upon the United States. The tool
chosen was President Wilson, who was
in weak position owing to his desire
to see the League of Nations incorpo-
rated in the treaty. The ceding of
Fiume to the Jugo-Slavs and the going
back on the pact of London were part
OF the price paid for the acquiescence
of the members of the Entente to the