The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-02-20
MUST CONSULT
UNITED STATES
Wilson Reminds Allies They
Can't Take Action Alone,
Binding America.
PRESIDENT STANDS FIRM
Crisis Averted, but Long,
Drawn Out Controversy
Likely to Follow.

Washington, Feb 20.-President
Wilson's firm reply to the allied note
with regard to the proposed new set
tlement of the Adriatic question was
to be dispatched today.
Taking q firm stand in his position
with regard to the Adriatic problem,
the president is understood to have
pointed out to the allied premers
that their argumentative note does
not answer his original protest that
the council of premiers has taken ac-
ton, to which this nation would be
bound, without consulting this gov
ernment.
President Wilson's reply does not
close the controversy, II was learned
today, but II is believed here that II
has averted a crisis.
Results OF Notes.
The results OF the exchange OF
notes, according to the opinion OF
high officials of the state department,
are these:
The proposed settlement OF the
Adriatic problem will be abandoned
by the council of premiers. unless
President Wilson can be convinced OF
its justice,
The council of premers will con-
suit the United States in the future
before taking definite action on any
matter to which this government
might be bound.
A crisis has been averted, but a
long, drawn out controversy is likely
to follow.
The treaty of peace is not likely
-. h.s x1yIt ,ly. h, 10
Caused Stir.
Publication in South America of
summary of the note OF the allied
premiers to President Wilson caused
a considerable stir here, as the ques-
ton of publication of the correspond
ence has been one OF the most an
noying features of tho controversy.
Bits of the correspondence have been
published from day to day In Euro
pean countries. but the impression
has been given that the question of
full publicity rested entirely with
Washington. This is not true, ac-
cording to high officials. who declare
that IL is apparent that the European
nations have been supporting their
case by allowing publication of those
parts OF the correspondence which
aid their case. while II is known that
permission Tor full publication of the
correspe Hdenle has not been freely
granted TO this country
"GARBLED, INACCURATE"
The summary of the allied pre-.
miers' communication as published IN
5uenos Aires was described by the
state department as "fragmentary,
oarbIed and very Inaccurate
Those dispatches, purporting TO
give a summary OF the allies com.
munioatlon to President Wilson, were
said to have originated in Rome. II
was stated that the published sum
mary did not correspond to the text
OF the note and was misleading in
many respects,
President Wilson now has before
him the matter of making public all
of the diplomatic correspondence. II
was learned that one fnCtor which
may force the publication of the cor
respondcnco Is the fact that foreign
newspapers are printing bits Of the
messages which officials here declare
arc misleading. 1t was stated that
full publication of the text would
change the entire aspect OF the sltua-
ton and would show concusively
that the president is not making a
stubborn protest without cause.
Favors Publication.
President Wilson is known 10 be
favorable TO the publication OF the
entire Adrlatic correspondence, but
Is understood TO be bound by diplo-
matte procedure which prevents such
publication II opposition Is expressed
by any governments concerned; and
It Is understood here such opposition
remains despite the cabled intima-
tlon of this government that publ
cation was desirable.
Many senators and oonurossmen
here express themselves as sore"
While the American government is
apparently being held strictly TO its
diplomatic obligations by the Euro
Pean countries, they observe, certain
OF the latter are known 70 have per-
nltted serious "leakagos," such leak
ages being bent TO propaganda detri.
Al - Abt.