New-York tribune., 1920-02-27
Latest Fiun,e Proposal Violates War
Aims, President Replies to Preniers

Following is the text Of the Presi-
dents note of February "a sent in re-
ply to the joint memorandum of Feb
ruary II Of the Prime Ministers of
France and Great Britain:
Washington, Feb. "a.
The joint memorandum of February
II Of the Prime Ministers Of France
and Great Britain has received the
careful and earnest consideration Of
the President He has no desire, what
ever to criticize the attitude of the
governments Of France and Great Bri-
tain concerning the Adriatic settle
ment. but feels that in the present
circumstances he has no choice but
to maintain the position he has all
along taken as regards that settle
meht. He believes it to be the central
principle fought for in the war. that
no government or group of govern
ments has the right to dispose of the
territory or TO determine the political
allegiance OF any free people
The tive great powers. though the
stltutes one of them, have in his CON
v1ction no more right than had the
Austrian government to dispose Of the
Tree Jugo-Slavic peoples without the
tree consent and cooperation of those
peoples. The Presidents position i.
that the powers associated against
Germany gave final and irrefutable e
proof Of their sincerity in the war bv
writing into the Treaty Of Versailles
Article X OF the covenant of the league
of nations, which constitutes an assur-
ance that all the great powers have
done what they have compelled Ger
many, to do-have foregone all terri
torlal aggression and all interference
with the rec political self determina-
tion of the peoples of the world.
Peace Secured, He Says
with this principle lived up to,
permanent peace is secured and the
supreme object of the recent conflict
has been achieved. Justice and self
determination have been substituted
for aggression and political dictation.
Without it there is no security for any
nation that conscientiously adheres to
q non militaristic policy. The object of
the war, as the government of the
United States understands it. was to
free Europe from that cloud OF anxi-
ETY. which had hung over it for gener-
ations because of the constant threa It
of the use of military force by one of
the most powerful governments of the
continent, and the President feels IT
important to say again that, in the
opinion of the American government,
the terms Of the peace settlement must
basis of the principles for which Amer
n !
of cooperation, therefore, and Of desire
for mutual understanding that the
President reviews the various consid-
erations which the French and British
Prime Ministers have emphasized in
their memorandum of February II. He
is confident that they will not mistake
his motives in undertaking to make
plain what he feels TO be the necessary
conclusions from their statements.
Jugo-Slavs' Plea Sustained
"The President notes that the objec-
tions of the Italians and Jugo- -Slavs
were made the basis for discarding the
project of the Free State of Fiume. 1t
would seem to follow, therefore, that
the Joint consent Of these two
powers should have been required for
the substitute project. The consent of
Italy has been obtained. He does not
ma, however, tnRt the JugO-SlaVS nave
also expressed willingness to accept
the substitute plan. Are they TO be re-
quired now ro accept proposal which
is more unsatisfactory because they
have raised objections to the solution
proposed by the British, French and
American governments in the memo
Tandum Of December 9?
The President would, Of course
make no objection to settlement
mutually agreeable to Italy and Jugo-
Slavia regarding their common frontier
in the Fiume region. provided that such
an agreement is not made on the basis
of compensations elsewhere at the ex-
pense of nationals of a third power
His willingness to accept such proposed
joint agreement of Italy and Jugo-
Slavia is based on the fact that only
their own nationals are involved. Ir
consequence, the results Of direct ne.
gotiations of the two interested powers
would fall within the scope of the prin,
ciples of self determination. Failing ir
this, both parties should be willing te
accept decision Of the governments OF
Great Britain, France and the United
States.
"Implication without Basis
"The British and French govern
ments appear to find in the President.
suggestion that the latest proposal!
would pave the way for the annexation
of the city of Fiume an implication