Evening star., 1920-02-16
Interpretation of
! Adriatic Note Is
TOO Sweeping"
STILL OPPOSES
\ LONDON TREATY
Entente Chiefs May
Go Ahead Without
; u. S. Participation.

President Wilson, it was learned TO-
day at the White House. did nN say
in his note to the entente prSmiers
regarding the Fiume question that
the United States would no longer be
fairs if Fiume settlement were made
without consulting America.
Oficials said the Interpretation of
the Presidents note by the Paris
Temps was too sweeping" They said
the United States would not withdraw
from participation in the peace treaty
and the league of nations If the
treaty were ratified by the Senate. but
that it would withdraw from any par
ticipation IN the Fiume settlement, in
cluding the policing of the Adriatie.
The Temps said President Wilson
allowed it to be understood that the
United States would find it impossible
to continue in conference if the allies
settle the Adriatic question without
consulting the United States.
President Remains Firm.
The Presidents position regarding
Fiume and the whole Adriatic situa-
tion was said to be unchanged. This
position. however. never has been ofn-
cially outlined and officials declined
today to define it.
No reply to the Presidents note has
been received. it was said at the State
Department. Dispatches from abroad
eaid the reply had been dispatched
and that in it the premiers adhered
to their ultimatum to Jugoslavia that
itlmust accept the compromise on the
Ffume question or suffer the carrying
out Of the terms Of the original treaty
Of London.
American Pssitisa UnchaaseA.
Beyond the general statement that
the Unitsd States adhered to the orig
inal proposition of the supreme eoun-
Gil in Paris in ailotting Fiume and
the coast of Dalmatia to Jvgoslavia
and Trieste and the adjacent country
to Italy there never has been any
cdieiat statement of the American po-
sition regarding the Adriatic issue.
Since that original position was as
sumed a number of notes have been
exchanged between the State Depart
mept and the entente premiers. and
THERE have been several conferences
in Washington between former Sec
retary Lansing and the resident am
bassadors and ministers of Italy and
Jugoslavia. 1t has been reported that
the United States was willing to ac-
cept some amendments of the orig
inal plan. but all of the exchanges
have been closely guarded.
Opposed to Treaty Of London.
1t is understood, however. that the
American position has been one OF
unalterable opposition to the applica-
ton of the terms of the treaty Of
London which would have given Italy
Jurisdiction over Dalmatia, though not
over Fiume, and that all of the notes
have indicated the purpose of the
American government to adhere as
closely as possible to the lines of the
original settlement, based, as it was
supposed to be. upon the principle of
self-determination and of chronological
affiliation as set out in President Will
sons original fourteen points.
1t is believed this position included
cOnsenting to the erection of Fiume
into an independent state. or at least
one under the control of the league of
nations. But there was unqualified
objection to the transfer to Italy of
title to Dalmatia or to the long strip
Of coast of the Adriatic extending
from Fiume to Italian Trieste.
So far as known that is the present
position of the United States. and it's
notes have indicated that if the en-
tente premiers were disposed ito find
another solution inconsistent with
this attitude they must provide for
the execution of their plans without
any participation on the part of
America"
Food Question May Figure.
The suggestion that President Will
son had indicated that this nation
would not be disposed to proceed with
its European food relief measures if
the allied heads remained obdurate
was made in official quarters today.
Desire of Great Britain, Italy and
other nations for American funds TO
relieve famine in Austria, it was sug-
gested. might be potent factor on
the allies replies to the President.
The principal concession indicated
by the President as possibly accept
able. it was stated in diplomatic
quarters. has been for creation of
buffer state, and the entente, togeth-
er with Italy, it is said, SO far have
remained in opposition to the buffer
state plan.