THE ADRIATIC.

Evening Star, Issue 18532, 15 January 1924, Page 4

THE ADRIATIC.

Ir the Statement from Belgrade that Italy and Yu.go-Sla.via have come to an agreement regarding the port of Ffurae be correct—and it has the , appearance of authority—an important contribution to tho cause of peace Inis been .made. The trouble In connection with this Adriatic port became acute in 1915, when, by the Treaty of London, Italy was granted a large area in Dalmatia.. This caused complications with Yugo-Slavia, and in 1919 moltters were brought to a head by tho action of the poet D’Annunzio, who seized Flume. The Italian Government, however, repudiated his action, and by the Treaty of Rapallo an agreement between Italy and Yugoslavia was reached. Flume was created an independent State, and it was provided that the area of Flume should be delimited by a special Commission composed equally of Italian and Yugo-Slav delegates. Tho arrangement arrived at m IS2I was that equal rights in regard to the port of Flume were granted to the Free City, Italy, and Yugo-SCnvia. This divided authority has not worked well. There has been constant friction rising at times to danger point. Commercialfy and economically the city became much embarrassed, and Yugo-Slavia was accused of practically boycotting the port. This was a condition of affairs that Signor Mussolini could hardly be expected to endure with equanimity, and in September last he sent a communication to Yugo-Slavia demanding that Fiume should become definitely Utahan in accordance with its national characteristics.

Italy’s Prime Minister took a stand that left little doubt as to his intentions, Suggestions to place the matter to the arbitrament Of the League of Nations or alternatively of. Switzerland as an independent State wore declined. As a set-off against his claims, however, he offered a ninety-nine years’ lease of the port to Yugo-Slavia, and stated that he was also prepared to cede the harbor of Karros, provided that Yugo-Slavia renounced the idea of creating a separate port within the Gulf of Fiume. The settlement now announced is substantially, on these linos, bo that it is evident that Mussolini has had his will. Apparently the Belgrade Government had small choice in the matter, for Italy’s Prime Minister made it quite clear that ho was determined that his pinna should bo carried out, and ht went to the extent of issuing what amounted to an ultimatum. Preparations had been carefully made for this step, and early in September it was slated that it was idle to declare that Iltimc was a free State. The Provisional President became a mere figurehead, and received and promptly carried out the orders which he received from Rome. The Italian military controlled the position in Fiume, and it was declared that tho concentration of troops on the Istrian Peninsula was the largest ever known. Tho next event was the resignation of Hie Government of Fiume, with a protest against the delay in a settlement between Italy and YugoSlavia. Then from Romo came the amoumcemeut that, in view of the abnormal situation, the Italian Government had decided to appoint a military Governor, with authority to carry on the Administration.

That, in brief, is the history of Flume up to the present. The veteran Serbian Prime Minister, M. Plash itch, -mode various protests and appeals, but Signor Mussolini remained immovable. Ho expressed his desire to maintain -friendly relations with Serbia, but intimated that, in view of the plight of Fiume, a prompt settlement-'was essential. Presumably absolute control of the Adriatic is Italy’s first objective, and that under the new arrangement is made secure in the meantime, particularly when it is mentioned that an alliance between Italy and Yugo-Slavia is to follow the pact just concluded. It is satisfactory thfwt a dispute which contained such ominous possibilities bus been settled without recourse to measures that might have bad a profoundly disturbing effect on the world at large. The attitude of Fka-nce and Britain in regard to the settlement, which throws overboard the Treaty of Bapallo, has not been indicated, but presumably matters would not have been allowed to go so Car without a protest had the Allies felt any grave concern in the matter. Peace on the shores of the Adriatic goes a great way towards maintaining peace in -the Mediterranean, which is a condition of vital importance not only ito Italy, but to Great Britain.