The Washington times., 1923-09-05
ITALY CENSURED
FOR HASTY
ACTION
Rear Admiral FuIIam Says Ma
tons Should Move to Pre-
vent World War.
BY REAR ADMIRAL FULLAM.
Copyright, 1919. by Cosmopolitan
News Seryfce.)

Copyright, 1879, by Cosmopolitan
News Service)
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 5.-An-
other world war threatens. All
right thinking nations should rally
to prevent it. There must be Inn
mediate and effective action by con-
cert Of neutral powers to induce
arbitration between Greece and
Italy.
Both the contestants must be
made . to realize that the worlds
condemnation will fall heavily upon
the side that refuses to listen to
reason at this time. All moral in
fluences. if there are any such re-
manning in the world, will view
with unforgiving horror any act
that precipitates another European
war. Z
:, It is admitted that Italy's provo
cation is great, the killing Of the
Italian officers was a dastardly
crime. But 1t does not neceesitate
war. The assassination of the
Austrian crown prince in 1914 was
a great provocation to Austria, but
1t did not justify the world war.
In both these cases 1t would ap-
pear that individuals or irresponsi-
BILE fanatics and not nations or gov
ernments were guilty. These in
cfdents are parallel. Austria, how
ever, did not act as quickly az
Italy has done.
Austria Investigated.
Several weeks elapsed and there
was at least a form of investigation
before she issued the ultimatum to
Servia. Italy's ultimatum comes
without any searching investigation
whatever that would point to guilt
on the part of the Greek govern
ment. Austria was condemned by
the world because her terms. were
deemed too drastic, and after her
ultimatum she gave no time for
mediation by the powers.
Italy's ultimatum and terms were
equally severe. 1t remains to be
seen whether she will force a war
or submit to the impartial arbitra-
ton Of the league of nations.
1t is unfortunate that the Italian
admiral felt the necessity of bonn
harding an unfortified town and
killing and wounding helpless nom
consequences
would have been still more serious
had the American citizens engaged
in relief work in Corfu or the refu-
gees and children in their charge
lost their lives. 1t is reported that
Italy has cited the action of the
United States in Cuba and at Vera
Cruz to justify the bombardment
and seizure of Corfu.
VNkor, Mo;,o W. c,.uIx
But this argument will not hold.
When the Maine went down with
800 American officers and men.
advising the Government to suspend
judgment. There was no ulti-
matum, no bOmbardment, no war
for weeks thereafter. And at Vera
Cruz no shot was fired by our men
until the MeXicans had begun a
whitening fire from the naval arse
nal and by snipers from the house
tops.
The United States in protecting
it's dignity and its people the world
over has never closed the doors to
mediation and settlement by pre-
cipitate acts or ultimatums. Italy
has disclaimed any intention OF
permanent seizure in occupying
Corfu and other islands. Tins Is
well. Europe could not permit
such permanent possession. 1t
would mean that Albania would be
walled in from the sea, Jugoslavia
would be strategically cut off COM
pletely from the Adriatic and with
Italy holding Corfu on the one side
and Brandiso on the other, the
Adriatic would become an Italian
lake. But this is not all. The re-
lation of submarines and air forces
to this situation in the case of war
in the Mediterranean must not be
ignored. 1t is amazing that the