Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-03-08
PRESIDENT IS FIRM
ON ADR|AT|C STAND
LAST NOTE SHOWS
Writes Allies That He is Unwill-
ing to Ignore Agreement OF
December 9.
REJECTS NEW PROPOSAL
CORRESPONDENCE Baltimore sun

ment OF DeceinDef y as an ureNocaDfe
expression of what the British, French and
American governments shall regard as
the prouer basis for settlement of the
Adriatic controversy, President Wilson
has rejected the recent proposal of the
British and French premiors that he
join with them IN an invitation to Italy
and Jugo-Slavia TO enter upon direct
negotiations, predicated upon with
drawal of that memorandum.
The text of the Presidents reply 10
this proposition was made public by the
State Department tonight. While it re-
iterites the Presidents willingness that
the two most interested powers shall
undertake solution of their differences
through mutual agreement, it rejects up
besitatingly the proposal that, for their
part, the other governments, including the
United States, shall wipe the slate clean
of their previously agreed upon pro-
gram.
Expressing surprise that the French
and British premiers should find in his
| previously expressed Willingness to leave
the Joint agreement of Italy and Jugo-
Slayia the settlement of the controversy
any ground for suggesting the withdraw
nj OF tie December . memorandum, the
note, which is signed by ACtiDg-Secre-
tary Polk, says;
DIN this he could not possibly join.
The memorandum represents deliberate
and disnterested judgment, after months
of earnest discussion. 1t constituted
more than mere exchange of views,
1T was q STANDPOINT of PRINCIPLES and
recapitulatioD of the chief points upon
which agreement had been reached.
There was thus afforded q summary re-
view Oh these points of agreement of
the French, British and American gov
erDments, and the memorandum should
remain, as 1T was intended TO be, the
basis OF reference representing the COM
biped opinion of these governments"
With equal emphasis thb President
spurns the suggestion that, in the event
OF tho direct negotiations failing to ef-
feet settlement the Treaty of Lon
don, negotiated by the entente with
Italy when the latter enterfd the war.
must stand as the only remaining alter
native. He refuses TO adcept the de
fense which the British and French pre-
miers set up for the secrecy their gov
ernments maintained UP until the as
sembling of the Paris Peace Conference
regarding the terms of this treaty.
Concerning this the note says:
"He (the PRESIDENT is unable TO find
IN the 'eNgencies of military strategy
sufficient warrant for exercising secrecy !
with government which was intimate
ly associated with the slgnatorics with
the Treaty of London in the gigantic /
task of defending human freedom and |
which was being called upon for unlimlt-
ed assistance and for untold treasure.
The definite and well-aecopted policy /
of the American government throughout +
its participation of the deliberations of 1
the Peace Conference was that it did /
not consider itself bound by secret trea-
ties OF which IL had previously not known |
the existence
The effect of the communication is /
clearly to require the British and French /
governments to recede absolutely from /
their iusistence upon the Treaty of Lon
don as last resort for q settlement OF .
the Adriatic dispute. In expressing /
equal eagerness with these powers for a .
speedy settlement of the controversy it /
leaves the way open for thpin to with |
draw this suggestion and TO accept In |
stead the December memorandum as /
the logical alternative. More than that, /
the note is plainly intended as a final
reputation by the United States gov
ernment of the Treaty of London or any
other secret arrangement as being of any
binding effect whatever on this govern
ment.
The effect Of this declaration is par
ticularly significant in view Of the fact
that standing in the background is the
Presidents previously uttered threat to |
withdraw entirely from any participa-
tion IN European affairs and from the
League of Nations itself If these other
powers persist in ignoring the attitude
of the United States in these matters
The note made public tonight states
again the unwilllngness of the United
States TO sanction any settlement of
the Adriatic question, either through di-
oct 10 Sarn nFalt
would involve the Encouragement oi
boundaries at the expense of third
power. In this the President speaks
with particular reference to the interest
of Albania.
On the other hand, he expresses his
willingness TO accept the proposal for j
joint negotiations, provided it Is fact
that Italy and ,Iugo-Slavia prefer to
abandon the so-called buffer state aS de-
fined in the memorandum of December ]
8 and desire to limit the proposed free /
state of Fiume to the city itself, placing
the sovereignty on the League of Ma
tions, without either Italian lor Jugo-
Slav control. With respect TO dt her con-
concerning particul ularly the
economic outlets for Jugo-Slavia, in the
region of Scutari, he stands pat on the
December arrangement.
COMPLAINT IS ANSWERED.
The President takes occasion in the
note TO question the complaint of the
French and British premiers that the
absence of an American representative
with plenary power in the negotiation
has been serious obstacle TO a settle
ment He pointedly reminds the two !
governments that it was more often the
case that delays were encountered I
through the obligation resting upon the J
British and French representatives to c
seek the views of their governments.
On the other hand, he expresses the
that time would have been
saved end misunderstanding avoided, if, r
before fixing upon 8 course OF action +
snd communicate their conclusions to
he Italian and Jugo-Slav delegations,
he American government had been con-
suited.
In conclusion, the President rejects il
he suggestion that he has been in any :
vay responsible for the failure to reach
solution, and again expressed the hope
that the allied governments will not
ind 1t necessary to decideI on a course
vhich tho American ,rax-ar rlynarf in a.