The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-02-16
POLK CONFIRMS
PARIS REPORT
Wilson Notified Allies United States Will With
= draw From European Affairs if Adriatic
Dispute Is Settled Without His
(the Presidents Concurrence.
Prompt Rejection of Objections Forecast by Echo de
Paris-Journal, However, Says That Entente Is
Obliged to Take Him Into Account,
Despite "Discredit of His Policy
by the Senates Resistance

"
New York, Feb. 16.-Frank L. Polk,
acting secretary of state, today con-
firmed the report from Paris that
President Wilson has notified France
and Great Britain that the United
States will withdraw from participa-
tion in European affairs if the Ital-
ian-Jugo- Slav dispute over territory
on the Adriatic littoral is settled
without his president Wilson's) con-
currence.
-Ir. Polk, who is filling the post
made vacant by the enforced resig-
nation of Secretary Lansing, has
been wishing his mother in this city.
Beyond admitting that the Paris re-
| port was true, he would say nothing.
TO WITHDRAW TROOPS. .
President Wilson threatened to
withdraw American forces now
policing the Adrlatc, In his protest
T to Great Britain and France over
the proposed settlement of the
AdrIatic problem, It was learned to-
day.
The protest. IL is understood, de-
clared that the United States must
be given voice In the Fiume ques-
tion or withdrawal It's forces now
along the Adrlatic.
Between Devil and Deep Sea-"
Garis, Feb. Recommending upon
President Wilson'S note to the su
preme allied council relative to the
compromise agreement On the Adri-
attic question, the Journal says it was
"a large paving stone in the confer
|. Ynce pond"
Y This aptly sums up the trend of
French opinion. There is no attempt
TO disguise the fact that the incident
creates q serious situation. England
and France, according to the news
papers here, are placed between the
devil and the deep sea"
Although Mr.. Wilson's attitude is
viewed as excessive in the light of
the discredit thrown upon his policy
by tho resistance of the senate yet
the fact remains Mr. Wilson is abso-
Lutte master until the spring of 1921,
and that the allies are obliged to
take. him into account" says the
journal.
president Wilson's abrupt inter-
vention," the newspaper continues,
was less to be expected since the
president himself has been exhorting
the nations of Eusope TO put an end
slt the earliest possible moment to
peace stagnation, which has been
the principal cause of economic
stagnation"
wilson ONeriooks.
president Wilson," remarks the
Petit Parisien, docs not seem to
have taken any account of what has
been done during the past two
months, as if that period were neg
ligible. He harks back brusquesly
by publishing a document, the object
of which is to call everything into
question at a moment when the goal
,ifpcared to be in sight"
Most of the other newspapers COM
ment on the situation, but their
views are expressed in the same
strain as those given.
PROMPT REJECTION.
b. Paris, Feb. t6.-Prompt rejection
Z Sof President Wilson's objections TO
the compromise agreement by whlcn
England, France and Italy hoped to
settle with Juoo- SlaVia questions
relative to the future status of the
eastern coast of the AdrIatic Is re-
ported In the Echo de Paris. Pre-
mIers Lloyd George, Of Great
Britain, and Millerand, OF France
drafted the reply to the American
chief executive and Insisted Jugo-
Savla must agree to the oompro-
mise with the alternative of seeing
the treaty Of London become opera
tive, II Is said.
At the same time the premiers' reply
was sent to Washington, the foreign
minister of Jugo- Slavia was notified the
view point of the British and French
governments had not been altered by
the seemingly unexpected action OF MI.
Wilson.
Contents of the Wilson note have not
been made public here. He is said.
however. to have given intimation the
United States would find it impossible
10 continue to concern itself ON Euro
4 . . oil laI n
settlement of the Adriatic problem
without consulting the United States
1t is said the president entered serious
objections to the utimatum sent to the
belgrade government on Jan. 20, and
declared it differed from the program
framed by Premiers Lloyd George ana
Clemenceau, with the assistance OF an
american representative, last December
While not connected with the sItua-
tion resulting from the Wilson note. a
cabinet crisis has arisen In Belgrade.
The ministry led 10y Premier David
uvitch resigned yesterday announce
ment stating this step was the sequel of
the refusal of Prince Regent Alexander
TO dissolve the present provisional par
lament and call for the election OF a
constituent assembly. 1t is probable
the situation will still further delay
settlement of the Adriatic problem.
Up to Disputants.
" The opinion was expreshed in official
circles today that, i'm view Of President
Wilson's note disapproving the Franco
l}fitish settlement OF the Fiume con-
troversy, the allies will ask the Jugo-
Slavs and Italians to reach a decision
themselves on the Adriatic- dispute, and
present it at ono eto the allied govern
mcnts and TO President Wilson for their
last word" on the matter.
Premier Lloyd George, az president Of
ar