New-York tribune., 1920-02-18

Continued from page
all, this Allied note is to America and
not to the President-was selected and
prepared for delivery.
The Allied leaders are thus able to
say that no change was made in the
draft Of the reply to the President.
They "save their faces" and also avoid
the unpleasantness of an encounter
here, certain to come if there should
be rupture between the Allies and
The United States.
The fear of offending the United
States and alarm over possible
estrangement caused an amazing re-
versal of feeling in the last twenty
ton that the Presidents note was not
intended as an ultimatum afforded an
opportunity for the Allied prcmiers
to withdraw from the original position.
All the newspapers to-day follow the
lead of the government. They en-
phasize the calamity which an
estrangement would bring to Europe
and without exception they caution the
government against precipitate action
which might bring that about.
Presidents Right Admitted
The Allied reply to the President
says the compromise of January 20 re-
ceived the unanimous support of the
British, French and Italians and that
ono section of the Jugo-Slavs accepted
it. 1t will admit the Presidents right
to hold contrary view and invite him
to suggest an alternative compromise
which will be acceptable to the Italians
and Jugo- Slavs. The note adds that
IT 20 foi to En1
able compromise the British must in
slst that the pact of London be made
the basis of settlement.
One report says the British Premier
accepted the Italian compromise Jan
uary 20 after Premier Nitt had prom
ised his support to Lloyd Georges
policy toward the Russian Bolsheviki.
The very fact that the Presidents
note was interpreted as a threat is
indicative of the personal feeling of
the Allied leaders toward the American
executive.
The new situation makes Premier
Nitti's position in Italy increasingly
embarrassing and may very we'll lead
to dramatic political turn in that
country Most Of the Italian news
papers assert that President Wilson'S
note was inspired by spite toward
Italy.
To-day's conference was attended by
Premier Lloyd George, Earl Curzon,
Jules Cambon, General Berthelot. Mar
shall Foch, Sir Henry Wilson and the
Japanese ambassador. 1t was felt by
those present that the Presidents note
indicated that he intended to take a
more prominent part in future negotia-
tons and that, perhaps, it would be
best to make only rrovis onal decisions.
Treaty Decision Sought
1t is felt here that nothing would so
help to clear the European situation
as decision by the Senate on the
peace treaty. In some respects, it is
believed, complete rejection Of the
treaty by the Senate would produce a
more satisfactory situation than exists
at present, though there is hardly a
group on this side of the water which
does not hope that the document will
be ratified by the United States and
that America will participate in the
European settlements in a way COM
mensurate with her power and in
fiuence in the world. This is true of
neutral countries as we'll as the AL
lies.
The Times" says:
countries have hitherto been content
to leave a settlement of most prob
lens to the Supreme Council. They
have no time and no knowledge to
follow these things in detail, but there
IS one policy which they will not toll
crate and that is conduct which mi~ht
reasonably tend to estrange Americans
from them.
"No government taking any steD
which caused such estraueemcnt could
survive many days. Defenses based
upon juristic and diplomatic pleas
would be brushed aside as childish and
trlfllng. The public would Justly count
them small dust in the balance where
the issue is so vast and so fraught
with good or evil as when the friend
ship Of the United States and Great
Britain is at stake"
'Chronicle' Opposes Wilson
"The Daily Chronicle" alone opposes
President Wilson's stand. 1t saws:
ut is difficult to see how the Allies
can comply with the wishes of the
United States. President Wilson when
here did nothing to make a settlement
easier, and he did some things which
made it much more difficult. His ac-
tion strained relations between italy
and her allies and gravely embarrassed
ltaly's internal situation. After long
labor and infinite pains The Allies
question without America. Now Mr..
Wilson writes asking them to tear it
up and begin again The request is an
impossible one to grant"
THE Daily Herald" believes that the
attitude of the United States is right,
but that President Wilson personally is
wrong. The newspaper says:
I'm Paris not even the vindctiveness
OF Premier Clemenceau wrought more
harm than the boundless egotsm of
The American President. Now Mr.. VII
son dramatically reenters on the stage
demanding that he be consulted on the
Adrlatc question. Does the President
mean business? If he does there is