Evening journal., 1920-02-16
MAY WITHDRAW i. S.
FROM PEACE MOVE
contInued from FIrst page

C'+AtAAt'A AiOil liict fhtt
Jugo Slav government by the council
OF premiers.
This man, who is opposed in his
own country. is again trying to block
European powers" said La Liberte.
After brutally dlsmisslng Secretary
Lansing, President Wilson. from his
proud isolation is again attempting TO
direct affairs on the continent OF which
he has no conception"
The news OF Wilson's latest note was
received In Paris almost simultaneously
! with reports from London declaring
that the council OF premiers had made
substantial progress on settlement OF
the various questions.
The Jugo Slay government, however,
Il was said, would not accept either the
London pact or the councils COM
promise. Advices from Belgrade, as
quoted in London dispatches, said The
Jugo Slav government was firm in its
decision 10 hold out for It's original
co itention Of enforcement OF President
Wilson's plan for settlement Of the
Adriatic dispute
Coming on the heels OF dispatches
telling Of The Presidents dismissal OF
Secretary Lansing the report OF VIII
sons note created a sensation In po-
li.ical circles here.
Practically the entire press regarded
The Lansing episode as dismissal" OF
the secretary and characterized II as
aut0cratic and uniustlilable.
"rhe manner OF eliminating Lansing
leaves no doubt that Wilson's autocracy
is reawakening' La Presse declared.
The Journal Desbats believed saht "on
account Of Wilson's Illness, lansing was
perfectly excusable in having assembled
The cabinet to deal with essential prob
lens"
wilson has re-enlered the scene by
brusTlely and brutally dismissing Ser-
Rotary Lansing L'lnlransigeant az
clared This newspaper. however, saw
hope IN The fact that Under Secretary
Frank a. Polk lis a great defender OF
Frances interests
Comment varied on the reported ae-
lion Of the President in threatening TO
withdraw IL the United states altitude
on The Adriatic question Is not upheld
The Journal Desbats believed Wilson's
action pointed in the right direction -
but La presse declared that "the NOM
ent the Adrlatic question is near set
Element President Wilson seems about
10 break up everything by threatening
TO Withdraw"
La Intransieeant said non commitally
that "in view OF the fact the United
STATES controls immense quantities OF
Francs pounds and lire the Allies vii!
he reluctant 10 release the thunder
bolts Of wrath ia
The apparent crisis brought about by
President Wilson's reported note 10 the
Allies follows long controversy IN inc
efforts 10 settle the territorial dispute
In the Adriatlc between Jugo Slavia ana
'ly.
when Italy entered the war on the
side of the Allies she obtained the
secret pact OF London granting her ex-
tensiye concessions in the Adriatic IN
return for her military assistance. Al
the neace conference, however, Pres
idnt Wilson insisted the United States
co1,Id not recognize this agreement and
secured tentative agreement giving
greater concessions TO the new Juso-
Slv netion. D.,so,,,.
italy bitterly ftsenlcu tho
and at the recent CON
Z renee Of Allied leaders In Par's
brourht about a so-called compromise
aereement witch was sent to Belgrad'
THE Jugo Slavs rejected this propose
and virtually dened the Allied ihr'at 10
enforce the London pact. In her reply |
10 the Allied note Jugo Slavia accep |
led The proposition that Flum becom'
a free city under the Losgue of ma
tions. but refused the Allied plan 10
change the so-callcd "Wilson line" as
In boundary between italian and Jugo
Slav possessions.
The Allies then granted JmVo Savia ar |
extension of time TO reconsider thcl
nroposal The whole aiiair was sched
uled 10 have en- threshed out at 10
nresent council OF premiers in London
IA was under discussion when the Presi
dents new communication with The re.
ported threat OF American withdrawa'
II the Wilson plan sf settlement as pu'
before the Paris peace conference was
not accepted