Evening star., 1923-09-16

administration of the disputed area and OF
the city of Fiume by a mixed commission, on
which Italy, JugoSavia and the Fiume Free
state would be represented, nominal title to
the disputed area going, apparently to Jugo
slavia.
But the business not ended there. The
new agreement to become effective. requires
approval by the Rome and Belgrade govern
ments. 1t was at once seen that the reaction
of the Belgrade government uncordial
CzechosIovak minister of foreign affairs, DR..
Benes-he who has done more than any other
indirectly and subtly intervening in the in
terest OF settlement. He visits Rome
ton for a commercial treaty between
Czechoslovakia and Italy. Now the normal
a eran o or DstcS oTts bu the% csy
be routed, you know, to Trieste. if Italy would
sovfa acceptable to the latter. To this effect,
according to rumor, Benes sweetly rounds
tremble. for il the commercial salvation Of
Trieste could be assured, then Italy might
be willing that Porto Baros. the important
part of Fiume harbor, whose possession is in
dispute between Italy and Jugoslavia. should
Freely belong to Jugoslayia and should EN-
but for Italian obstruction, and everybody
So simple, isn't It? little rounding in the
ear in the course of a pleasant repast, and the
Fiume question is no more But a doubt will
obtrude itself. Don't the economists say that
you can't divert trade from it's normal chan
nels? As Benes is good economist, and an
honest man, 1t may be that Lady Rumor
playing her usual role of busybody and ftb-
ber.
If Benes did any such rounding. II had no
effect; for Mussoini dispatched another little
note; this time the Belgrade government.
The commissioners agreement, said the note,
must have the approval of the Belgrade gov
ernment by September Is. else Mussolini
would consider himself free to resume full
liberty of action" The Belgrade government
thereupon proposed reference of the dispute
TO arbitration by the president of the Swiss
confederation in accordance with stipulation
of the Rapalo treaty. Mussolnf rejected the
proposal
The time limit expired last night. What kind
OF action. Signor Mussolini? Something in tho
Corfu lne% 1t is to be noted in this connection
that Jugoslavia has a real army. if Greece has
not--in fact one of the most valiant and cf-
ficent armies in Christendom. II has of late
been re-equipped from France by means OF
credit granted by the French government. And
Jugoslavia has friends in close alliance, and
she is Il proteGe of France. What Kind Of ac-
tion?
one now hears that Mussoini is not going
to cross any Rubicon just now. Some reports
state that he will notify Belgrade that the
time limit of his last note Is extended (per-
haps he has done sol; others have il that he
has drawn up set of proposals for
Fiume settlement.
4 notification to the latter effect would. of
course. end tho crisis. Whatever Mussolini may
do may have done, the above study of the
recent history of this important controversy
may stand
:: :: = x
Italy and Greece.-So the Grcco-Italian crisis
is past. The Italian and Greek governments
accepted the proposals of the conference of
ambassadors for settlement, which include
payment of normal reparations" (apologies.
etcD, and material rcparations" .de., in
demnity) by Greek government, the amount
OF the latter TO be determined by the world
court, and the sum of 80, 100000 lire TO be de-
posted by the Greek government in the Swiss
National Bank as guarantee. n commission
composed of delegates of the French British
and Italian governments with a Japanese as
president. is to control the search for the