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Show ITALY WARNED. The action of the Italian government in maintaining a blockade against the new democracies built out of the old Austrian empire has been bitterly denounced de-nounced by tho Briti.sh and French delegates dele-gates to the peace conference. It is charged that the purpose of the Italians is to obtain political advantages which they fear could not otherwise be gained. Conditions have become so intolerable that Italy has been warned by the American government that, unless she puts an end to delays in movements of relief supplies to tho newly established Jugo-Slavic and Czecho-Slavic states, j I steps will be taken to stop the flow of ! American foodstuffs to Italy. It is a 'highlv regrettable circumstance that it j should become necessary to take such j action. At. the same time it is the duty of America, Great Britain and I'rance to protect the new nations they helped call into being until they are firmly set upon their feet. We are not disposed to judge the Italians harshly, for they have not been out from under the war cloud very long and their passions are still in evidence. Then, again, we must tako note of the fact that they entered the war aftor making a secret treaty with the entente powers, under the terms of which they were to be given a considerable amount of territory in the event of tho defeat of the central powers. The entrance of tho United States into the war changed the whole aspect of affairs, and it has sinco become evident that the secret treaty cannot be carried out in its entirety. en-tirety. This is also true of some of tho treaties Japan forced upon China. Consequently, Con-sequently, it is a very difficult matter for the peace delegates to harmonize the conflicting elements and bring order or-der out of chaos. The demands of. tho French government govern-ment for territory in addition to Alsace-Lorraine Alsace-Lorraine aud for indemnity and reparation repara-tion have doubtless had the effect of encouraging the government of Italy to play tho grab game to the limit beforo a world pact could be arranged at Versailles, Ver-sailles, all of which makes it very difficult diffi-cult for the delegates to -arrive at an agreement that will stand the acid test of time. We believe, however, that all will listen to reason when they contemplate contem-plate the possibilities. |