The Crisis at Paris.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16508, 28 April 1919, Page 6

The Crisis at Paris.

We are sorry that our cable agencies have omitted to supply us with the opinions expressed by representative British newspapers concerning the crisis at Paris. The opinion of the "Daily "Express" is quoted at some length, but the "Express" carries no weight nowadays with intelligent people. The "Morning Post" is also quoted, but this excellent journal has certain crotchets and prejudices, and for some time its policy has been "anti-Wilson "at all costs," and one thinks of going to it for a judicial treatment of such questions as this one as littlo as one would think of going to the "Nation" at the other extreme. The last reference made to the question by "The Times," so far as our files go, was on February 25th last, and "The "Times" was then advocating the submission of the rival Jugo-Slav and Italian claims to arbitration by Mr Wilson. ' trust," it said. "that, upon mature consideration, the Italian " Government will see their way to set " such an example of moral courage and "of confidence in the justice of their "causo as to submit their dispute with "the Southern Slav 3to the award of "an arbitrator whose impartiality is "the less open to question since he "is animated by sincere goodwill to"wards both parties." This.excellent advice was ignored by the Italian Gov-, ornment, who aro aware that the more impartial the arbitrator the less likely he would bo to show much sympathy for Italian "aspirations" on the, West- 1 em Adriatic coast. It is apparently

lioped that Italy may be persuaded to come into the Conference again with sincere intentions, but the deadlock appears to be complete. The President can hardly withdraw from the position ho has taken up, and Signer Orlando, if, as is likely, ho receives such a mandate as the Italian Chamber of Deputies can give him, would hardly be in a position to consent to any compromise. The ultimate consequences of a final rupture will be so grievous that Mr Lloyd George and M. Clemenceau may be trusted to exhaust all the resources of their statesmanship to heal the breach. It is important that if they fail, and America retires to her former isolation, the world should understand that tho responsibility will rest with Italy. In these troublous and perilous days, it will alwavs be heartening to remember, Britain's part has been that of the helpful and unselfish conciliator.