New-York tribune., 1920-02-27

sent These proposals in some cases
affected territory beyond the Treaty Of
London line, as in the Jarvis and Sex
ton valleys; in others, the territory
fell short OF the Treaty Of London
line, as in the case Of the islands Of
Lussln, unie, Lissa and Pelagosa--to
mention only few of the many pro-
posals upon which tentative agree
mcnts have long been reached and
which would be upset by an application
or the treaty at this late day.
Action Surprise to United States
"The coupling OF the Treaty of Lon
don as an obligatory alternative to the
Adrlatlc settlement proposed on Jan
uary IA came as surprise to the
American government, because this
government had already by the agree
ment Of December 8 entered into "a dis
tinct understanding with the British
and French governments regarding the
basis of a settlement of the question.
BY their action of January ID the gov
eminent of the United States was con-
fronted with definite solution. to
which was added on January 20 q
threat to fall back upon the terms of
the Treaty of London. This course was
followed without any attempt to seek
the views of this government or to pro
vide such opportunity of discussion az
was easily arranged in many other mat
ters dealt with in the same period
The President notes that the mem
orandum of February 7 refers to the
difficulty of reconciing ethnographic
with other considers rations in making
territorial adjustments, and cites the
inclusion OF 100000 Germans in
Czecho-Slo and more than 5000 600
Ruthenes in Poland as examples of
necessary notifications Of ethnographic
frontiers. He feels compelled to OBJ
serve that this is line of reasoning
which the Italian epresentatives have
advanced during the course of ncgotia-
tions, but which the British and French
have hitherto found themselves unable
TO accept. There were cases where for
sufficient geographical and economic
reasons slight dehections OF the eth
biographical frontier were sanctioned
by the conference, and the America n
government believes that if Italy would
consent to apply the same principles in
lstra and Dalmatia the Adriatic Ques-
tion would not exist.
Fears Future Wars
The American government heartily
suhscribcs to the sentiments expressed
by the gOVernm entS OF Great Britain
and France regarding ltaly's participa-
ton in the war. 1t fully appreciates
the vital consequences of her participa-
tion and is profoundly grateful for her
heroic sacrifices. These sentiments
have been repeatedly expressed by the
American government. But such con-
siderntions cannot be made the reason
for unjust settlements which will be
provocative of future wars. A course
thus determined would be shortsighted
and not in accord with the terrible
sacrifices Of the entire world. which
can be justified and ennobed only by
leading finally to settlements in keep
ing with the principles for which the
war WAS fought.
The President asks that the Prime
Ministers Of France, Great Britain
and Italy will read his determination
in the Adriatic matter in the light
of these principles and settlements,
and will realize that standing upon
such foundation Of principle he must
of necessity maintain the position
which he arrived at after months of
earnest consideration. He confidently
counts upon their cooperation in this
effort on his part to maintain for the
Allied and associated powers that di-
rection Of affairs which was initiated
by the victory over Germany and the
peace conference at Paris.
"POLK, Acting