San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-10
ITALY'S QUEER PLEA

IL AL 1 . QOGEN IAGFh
In defending the act OF bombarding
Corfu the Mussolini government seems
to be jumping from pillar to post. Press
dispatches from Rome give only a brief
summary of the governments statement
in reply to the charge that the bonn
bardment was unlawful. and one part
OF that statement. as thus outlined, Is
not altogether clear. Nevertheless, the
verbatim quotations are sufficient to
give the reader fairly comprehensive
idea OF the Italian view.
The Italian government begins by re-
ferring to the London treaties of 1868
and 1864. The former. it says, estab-
lished the neutrality OF the .Ionian Islands
on the occasion of their reunion to
Greece, and this naturalization was
Limited only to Corfu and Paxos." 1t
goes on to say that the treaty of 1864,
designed to protect the island of Corfu,
was not signed by Italy.
Thus the question whether Italy signed
the treaty of 1868 is not answered; but
the inference is that, whether she did or
didn't, the limitation of naturalization
to Corfu and Paxos would. according to
the governments contention, eXonerate
Italy of any charge of wrong-doing in
the bombardment of Corfu.
But that the Mussolini government is
at loss for a real defense of that act,
and is therefore inclined to take advan-
tage of any excuse that may possibly
serve its purpose, is indicated by this
part of its statement:
From all points OF view the occupa-
ton of Corfu is not an act of war nor
a contradiction of law, and it is perfectly
legitimate.
1t must not be forgotten that in time
OF war neutral territory must be used
as means OF communication"
II the Italian government means ex-
actly what it is thus quoted as saying.
it contradicts in the second sentence the
assertion it makes in the first If the
bombardment of Corfu was not an act
of war, then what relevancy is there in
the assertion that 'in time of war neu-
trail territory must be used as a means
of communication" And if Italy did
not sign the treaty OF 1864, which was
designed to protect Corfu, then why
should she now discuss the matter of
neutrality at all?
On the whole, the position assumed |
by the Italian government seems to bear
the brand OF the philosophy employed
by Germany in defense of her invasion
Of Belgium-the philosophy of "neccs-
sity.'
But let it be assumed that the bonn
Oardment OF Corfu was not a violation
of any treaty or even of international
aW-if there remains in Europe any
Sestige Of international law. Then con-
slider these two reported facts: First, |
Of the 20 people killed by the shells fired
by the Italians preparatory to their oc-
,upation of Corfu, 16 were orphan chill
lren who, under the care of the Red |
Cross, were bathing in the sea; second, |
italy signed a covenant with other ma
lions for the submission of disputes to |
and now, upon the very
irst occasion for testing her sincerity, |
she refuses to submit her demands to ar |
and declares that she will with |
draw from the League of Nations I'M
ess that institution upholds those de-
nands.
Thus does the Italian-Greek situation
afford but another exemplification OF
the fact that the will to peace is the |
only dependable assurance against war. |