Evening star., 1920-11-14
ADRIATIC QUESTION
STILL DANGEROUS
Determined Aims Exceed
Italian = Jugoslav Agreements and
His Word May Decide ALL

age to resist. He ever has refused to
compromise, and it is a question to-
day whether he will be satisfied with
agreements that have been effected by
Jugoslav and Italian foreign minis
ters. even though they be distinct
victory for Italy.
D'AnnunZio wants more. In view
of the fact that today he is looked
upon as the logical military leader of
any nationalist military coup, there are
reasons to believe that dAnnunzios
stand on the settlement will go far
toward deciding whether, after all,
the whole Adriatic question is to re-
solve itself into prolonged peace be-
tween Italy and Jugoslavia. or the
agreement a signal for a widespread
nationalistic movement seeking to
overthrow the government and
through a nationalist dictatorship.
the things which italian negotiators
may have neglected to demand.
Though Fiume may be contiguous to
Italian territories, d'AnnSnzio still
may dream of still greater dominion
along the eastern coast Of the Adri-
attic.
His Word Has Weight.
That d'Annunzio's word has weight
is indicated by his purported demands
that the Jugoslav deliberations be dis
continued until after the elections in
the United States. He counseled Rome
that If Harding was elected, Italy
then could enter the deliberations and
speak firmly. This was done. Italy
did state her demands and stood firm,
Jugoslavfa, after appealing to London
and Paris obtained no grains OF COM
fort. and Foreign Minister Trumbitch
was forced to return and consent to
Italy's demands.
But there are reasons to believe
that dAnnunzio, who in recent months
has been a figure in all considerations
appertaining to the Adriatic. will be
induced to consent to decisions. If he
has not begun to dream of greater
empire for himself than at the present
sleeping little city Of Fiume. II
fined, he may be induced to usher in a
period Of civil strife over Adriatic
questions. even though Jugoslavia and
italy by close commercial and eco
nomic accord. can absolutely domi-
nate the Adriatic to their own inter-
ests.
Though dAnnunzio having. it is
rurperted. received assurances that
the new republican administration
would change the American govern
ment's Adriatic policy after March in
the Adrfatic settlement, the present
thing to say in regard to the pur-
ported agreement. President Wilson
has expressed his keen desire that the
two countries decide the issue among
themselves. but he likewise has indi-
Gated what he considers to be a fair
settlement in the interests Of Jugo-
slavia. The recent agreement exceeds
in limitations the territories which
President Wilson would have given
to Italy, but, on the other hand.
though some expression Of disapproval
may or may not emanate from WASH
ington, it is believed in diplomatic
circles that in view Of the whole ten
dency toward peace there will be in
clination to let the matter rest.
Poet Soldiers Power.
Whatever the course Of the United
States. the last word of d'Annunzio
will have far-reaching weight, for If
he resist his own government he could
precipitate strife Of endless character.
D'AnDunzio. even under the present
arrangement. will be considered a ma
tional hero-one of the greatest of
all-for. though he may have embar-
rassed at least two governments by
his actions in Fiume and rendered
exceedingly difficult Italy's economic,
commercial and political negotiations
with other nations. nevertheless. FL
ume will be under Italian domination.
and this is the thing that Italians
have dreamed of and prayed for since
the treaty of London was first signed.