The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-03-02
Rocking the Cradle Of War.


The Balkan peninsula is known as the
cradle of European wars. Being inhab-
tied BY many races with varying aspl-
rations, packed into small territory, II
has provided ample opportunity for the
Vaccinations of old-world diplomacy
The war just closed 1t will be remem-
bered, began with quarrel between
Austria and Serbia; and now the most
difficult problem Of peace seems 10
center around the partition OF former
Austrian territory between Italy and
the new Serb state, Jugo -Siavia.
Italy entered the war against Ger
many after being promised practically
all this territory, with the exception Of
the city of Fiume itself The war
over. Italy demanded a fulfillment of
these promises But President Wilson,
pointing out that the United States
was not a party to the promise, in
sisted on the rule of self determine
ton and declared that, moreover, the
granting of the Italian claims would
cut the Jugo- Slavs off from the Adri-
attic sea and furnish a pretext for new
wars After making his position clear,
he came home. Later the French,
British and italian diplomats worked
out a solution of the AdriatiC question
which the president now asserts is in
conflict with the previous understand
ing and he therefore warns Europe
he will consider withdrawing the peace
treaty from the senate.
This warning has aroused the world.
American opinion divides sharply on the
issue The Omaha Bee (Rep) thinks
that after all, Fiume is the affair of
Europe" and the Toledo Blade Qnd
RepD agrees that control of the Adri-
attic is of 70 importance to America. -
The Colorado Springs Telegraph (Rep)
is persuaded that withdrawal of the
treaty. instead of a calamity. might
| prove a good way out of the sad mess
in which the president has involved
US" and the New York Tribune tRep,
| declares that as we are not at wal
| with Italy, and not at war with Jugo'
| Slavia, the president has no power t
| give his judgment as to where thei
| frontiers shall meet" Nor is the pro
test confined to Republican papers
| for the Cleveland Plain Dealer lind
| Dem) says this:
| America, a nation which has rati
| fled no peace treaty, which is not
| member of the league of nations, ant
which. above all, is not directly inter
| ested in European problems or ever
| indirectly affected by the Adriatic set
| Element, is placed in the position no
of debating an agreement but of veto
ing the only terms on which an agree
| ment can be built.
moreover, TIE JuHUsIDNH DGiIOCI d
! CDem) believes that president Wilson
| should make good his threat to pun on
| of European affairs He never had an,
business there" while the Springfield
Republican (Ind) advises that ''th
United States should go into world poll
tics for keeps or get out promptly ant
Enthusiastically. 1t is the half-and-hai
business caused by the long delay o
the senate in making final disposition
Of the treaty that has brought this con
fusion upon Europe"
Others, however support Mr., VIII
sons stand vigorously. There is n
ground for European astonishment,
declares the sSt. Louis Post Dspatcl
I lind If'the presidents latest note
the logical sequence of his first protes
| against carrying out the secret preda
tory bargains of the allies" The Mil
| waukee Journal Gnd,) thinks also tina
"the president is standing for the prin
ciple he enuncfated again and agai'
that boundaries should conform to tn
racial complexion Of the people and tn
wish of the governed and the Alobil
| Register Dem) believes that til
whole future of the policy of enforce
peace" depends on allied. acceptance O
the Wilson terms After the Italia
claims under the secret treaty of Lon
don. the New York World (Dem) de
MES that participation in the war
something that is to be bought ar
paid for-that war is an undertaken