Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-20
WILSON DEFENDS HIS
STAND ON ADR|kT|G
IN DECEMBER NOTE
Reported to be Emphatic Against
Enforcing the Secret Treaty
Of London.
MAY NEGOTIATE FURTHER


son. according to the best information
obtainable in Washington last night, Is
standing firm in his opposition to the
modified Adriatic settlement which was
submitted recently by the Allies 10 the
Government of Jugoslavia with an ulti-
matum offering choice between their Janu-
arv plan and the secret Treaty of London.
His reply to the powers will uphold the
December plan and seek to justify his
opposition TO the January program of the
powers.
There IS every indication that the
President, in the reply, VIII inform
the allied powers that the United States
Governments position Is Just the same
on the Adriatic problem TODAY rs 1T was
when he authorized Mr.. Polk, then
Under Secretary of State, to sign the
ioint proposal to which the United
States, Great Britain, and France agreed
at Paris on December 9.
This is the agreement which the Pre-
miers of France and Great Britain
changed at Pans, on January 9, without
the concurrence of the United States Gov
ernment. President Wilson not only is
opposed to what he regards As the vital
changes that were made In the Decern-
Der plan, but he considers the alternative
of the secret treaty of London especially
objectionable, and has already informed
the powers that their action IN offering
.Jugoslavis her choice between the Janu-
sry modified scheme and the treaty OF
London could not receive his !. one
ment.
The note of the allied powe pre-
sented arguments in support of the modi-
fications they made In the Adriatlc
proposal in January, defended the steps
they had taken, and proceeded TO deel
with Presidents Wilson's objections,
point by point, as communicated to
them in the Lansing memorandum OF
February 10.
In his reply President Wilson has taken
up the points made by the Allies, one
after another. and has reiterated IN firm
but diplomatic language the objections
which he stated in the note of February
10. The form of the Presidents reply Will
not be such as TO close the door TO further
negotiations and consultation, If the allied
powers, after receiving and considering his
answer, are desrous of further consulting
the American government IN the effort
to agree on an Adriatic settlement.
The frmness of the stand which the
President is taking in advocacy of the
December project, and IN opposition to
the January project, however, is under
stood TO be such that it will be difficult
for the allied powers to reach settle
ment except on the basis of the December
proposal. or through such notifications
of it as President Wilson, after further
negotiation, might be persuaded to accept.
Whether he would assent to any modi-
fication in the December project, and
intends to stand rigid on that as his last
word on the Adriatic question, will have
to be determined As the diplomatic ex-
change develops, but at the present time
he advocates the December scheme. The
note to the Allies will emphasize that as
a fact.
After the December proposal had been
changed by the British and French Pre-
miers in January, IT was assented TO by
Italy and then communicated to Jugo-
Slavia with the statement that the
January scheme must be taken or the
Treaty of London would be enforced.
Upon learning that fact, President VIII
son. through sformer Secretary Lansing,
In the closing days of January, sent a
10 the British and French
in which he notified the
allied powers that the American position
was "the same as it was when Under
Secretary Polk signed the JOINT proposal
of December at Paris.
subsequent note Of February 10 in
which the President warned the Allies
that if they proceeded with the Adriatic
without consulting him he
would consider the withdrawal OF the
United States from the Treaty OF Yer
sailles snd from the treaty between the
United States and France, set forth Wig
orously the Presidents criticism OF the
LLOYD George-Clemenceau proposal of
January, as well as his objections to the
Treaty OF London and the ultimatum to
Jugoslavia- In that note be continued
TO support the December agreement |
which he made with the British and |
French Governments, TO which agree |
ment the Italian Government was not a |
party.
In his new note 10 the powers the |
President will reiterate that he favors |
the December project and will give q
detailed statement OF his reasons for op- /
posing what he regards as the vital |
changes In the project which were made /
without his concurrence. II will be the |
third time within less than month /
that the President has stated his posi- |
ton of opposition TO the January scheme /
and In advocacy of the December plan |
Of settlement.
This reiteratiou o. the Presidents po-
;ition may be accepted as evidence of
MS determination in the matter, and IL
I