Before leaving Paris on Thursday week, Signor Orlando issued a
statement in reply to the manifesto in which-President Wilson rejected the Italian claim to Fiume. The Italian Premier expressed regret that the President should have seemed to appeal to the Italian people against their Government, at a moment when the Allies were still negotiating with Italy in regard to the dispute. Signor Orlando said that he agreed with the President's principles, but not with his method of applying them to the Italian claim. Fiume was a necessary part of Istria, and, as an ancient Italian city, it must be allowed the right of self-determination. If in the case of Poland the forcible Germanizing of certain districts was not to prevent them from being recognized as Polish, the immigration of Slays into Dalmatia should not be regarded as a reason for denying Italy's historic rights in that country. Italy, the Premier concluded, -was not actuated by Imperialist cupidity. She sought to recover only the Italian lands of which she had been deprived.
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