MR. WILSON'S MANIFESTO.

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

MR. WILSON'S MANIFESTO.

APPEAL TO PRINCIPLES. FIUME AS CENTRE OF TRADE. INTERESTS OF NEW STATES. (Rewired 8 pjn.) A. and N.Z.-R<mt«r. PARIS, April 24. Mr. Wilson's manifesto, dealing with the Adriatic problem, is a lengthy official statement. He points out that Italy entered the war upon the basis of a definite private understanding with Britain and France, known as the Pact of London, Since that time the whole circumstances have altered. Many other Powers entered the struggle with no knowledge of that private understanding. The Austro-Hun-garian empire was then an enemy of

Europe, at whoso expense the pact was to be kept in the event of vic- ' tory. It has gone to pieces. Not only that, but several parts of that Empire, it is now agreed by Italy and her associates, shall be created independent States, and associates in the League of Nations, not connected with those who were recently our enemies. They are to be among the smaller States whose interests henceforth are to bo scrupulously safeguarded. Principles of Armistice. The war was ended by an -armistice, and peace with Germany on clearly defined principles was proposed. Therefore we cannot ask j the great body of Powers to propose j a peace with Austria and establish a I new basis of independence and right, in Statea which originally constituted the Austro-Hungarian empire! and States of the Balkan group on principles of another kind. If these principles are to be adhered to Fiume must serve as the outlet and

inlet of commerce, not of Italy, tut of the lands north and north-east of that port, for Hungary, Bohemia,, Roumania and the States of the new Jugoslavia group. If Fiume were assigned to Italy it would create a feeling that we had put that port upon which all these countries depended for access to the , Mediterranean in the hands of a Power of which it was not an integral part, and whose sovereignty must inevitably seem foreign, not domestic, or identified with the commercial and industrial life of the 'regions which the port must serve. ' It was for these reasons that Fiume was not included in the pact of London. New Order In Europe. Elaborating these arguments, Mr. I Wilson says a new plan of European I order, centring in the League of ; Nations, will provide against any unfair treatment of Italian Nationals in these regions. He points out that, through her-sacrifices and those of her allies, Italy's ancient unity has been restored. Her frontiers have been restored to the great walls which are her natural defence. Mr. Wilson appeals to Italy to extend to the newly liberated peoples across the Adriatic magnanimity, friendly generosity, and the preference of justice over interest. The allied nations made supreme sacrifices, not for national advantage , or defence, but for the settled peace [of the world. America, as the initiator of peace, has compulsion I upon her to square every decision I with the principles he enunciated, ' and can do nothing else. He trusts and believes Italy will ask nothing but what is unmistakeably consistent with these sacred obligations. Only on such lines can the world's ■ peace be made secure.