ADRIATIC CRISIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17145, 26 April 1919, Page 9

ADRIATIC CRISIS.

ITALY HOLDS ODT. FOIL DEMANDS WANTED. DEMONSTRATION IN ROME. SUPPORT FOR THE PREMIER? Australian and N.Z. Csble Association. jtJßecd. 8.10 p.m.) LONDON. April 24. The King of Italy and a large number of members of both Houses'of Parliament have telegraphed to i Signor Orlando urging him to stand firm. A tremendous demonstration was held in Rome, demanding Fiume and Dalmatian The Mayor addressed the multitude, and declared that Italy would refuse any dirainu-

tion of national rights. Troops guarded the allied embassies. Signor Orlando states that the thre? Powers had granted Italy's final minimum except for Fiume, which was to be a free port. The next event was Mr. Wilson's manifesto, which Signor Orlando had first seen in an evening paper. He explains that he is not breaking with the Allies, but says it is superfluous to discuss the matter with Mr. Wilson. He will summon Parliament forthwith. The Italian cris's reached a further stage of its development when Mr. Wilson issued a manifesto giving his views on the situation, and dissenting from the Italian claims for the annexation of Fiume and a portion of Dalmatia. The Italian delegates thereupon decided to withdraw from the congress, the Premier, Signor Orlando, issuing a statement that Mr. Wilson's departure from diplomatic custom left the Italians no option but to retire.

The Italian delegates accused Mr. I Wilson of bad faith in publishing a statement when the Italians were making a supreme effort to find a modus vivendi. Signer Orlando wrote to M. Clemenceau legretting that Mr. Wilson had published his manifesto while negotiations were proceeding on a compromise which might have been accepted. Signor. Barzilai, one of the Italian delegates, stated that the publication of the manifesto came as a bombshell while the delegates were discussing a compromise. The manifesto was published over the heads of all the delegates, and Mr. Wilson' had elected himself supreme; umpire. American correspondents assert that Mr. Lloyd George and M. i Clementsau approved of the mani-' festo before its publication. i The Italians threatened to make a ' separate peace with Germany. They have handed over Italy's interests, to Britain and France, paying a tribute to 'their loyalty. It was an-J nounced that they would leave Paris in the afternoon, but in consequence of' representations by M. Clemen- j ceau and Mr. Lloyd. George, they decided to postpone their departure, Mr. Lloyd George announcing that they were not leaving Paris at present. Mr.' Lloyd George, M. Clemenceau, and Mr. Wilson met as usual this afternoon to further discuss the terras of peace. The Italians intend to occupy Fiume and Dalmatia, and will send 100,000 men there immediately. ATTEMPTS AT MEDIATION. THE BRITISH ATTITUDE. (Eeo9ivt--J 7.30 p.m.) .United Seme*. PABIS, April 24. In regard to the Adriatic issue, Mr. Wilson said on Monday that he intended to make a statement if the Italians persisted in their claims to Fiume. Mr. Lloyd George attempted to mediate, and then advised the Italians to abandon their claim in view of Mr. Wilson's unbending opposition. He also urged Mr. Wilson to give time for negotiations, .but Mr. Wilson, without further consultation, distributed a statement j asserting that his position was being misunderstood throughout the world. The statement therefore was issued with the knowledge, but without the | consent of the Council of Four. j Mr. Lloyd George has authorised the following statemert:-The treaty of London allotted Fiume to Croa-, tia, but the Italians occupied it. j Britain and France informed Italy that they would not support her claims to Fiume. They also think it against her best interests to insist! upon having the Adriatic Islands, and Dalmatia, though they will abide by the letter of the treaty if Italy insists. _ I It is stated that Britain and, France again begged the Italians to | reconsider their attitude. Italy's financial, food and ccal requests being addressed principally to I America, give Mr. Wilson additional , power over the situation. I MR. WILSON STANDS FIRM. BIGNOR ORLANDO'S REPLY. , Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. j (Bed. 10.20 p.m.) PARIS. April 25. Mr. Wilson has authorised a statement to the effect that he is pre-! pared to accept the consequences, of his manifesto. He adds that the Italians for some days have been threatening a rupture. Signor Orlando, in a counter-manifesto, re-j greta that Mr. Wilson is using such means for appealing to friendly] people, especially when negotiations are critical. He deplores the at-, tempt to distinguish the Italian Par-1 liament from the people. Truth and justice are not any one person's monopoly. The conference more than once nearly failed completely "by trying to apply Mr. Wilsons principles. It is unbelievable that | anybody ran have found a simple, solution for the many complicated' problems. The whole of Italy's past ( and future are bound up in her! Adriatic claims. J