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commission of the Allies; a definite disposition will be made as experiences of the new states will be acquired.
The Turkish movement, known as Neo-Turanian, a very close analogy of Prussian Pangermanism and Austrian Imperialism, deserves sharp condemnation; the Neo-Turanians appeal to the memory of Djegis Khan—in every encyclopedia you will find that this barbarian imperialist put to death five million people, a horrible figure, but still smaller than the number of victims of the two Pangerman Williams and Francis Joseph.
(21) The Greek question (or rather questions) require a careful consideration; it would not be unjust to restore Constantinople and the Dardanelles to Greece—to some degree it is a question of finances, a question whether Greece could afford the cost of maintenance. There are many Greek cities and scattered territories in Asia Minor; they should he restored to Greece.
(22) Italy will receive the Italian territories of Austria; Trieste will probably be a free city and port.
Italy points to the fact that her eastern coast in the Adriatic is, owing to its straight shores, in a great disadvantage as against the many excellent harbours of Istria and Dalmatia; this fact and the fact that there is a small Italian minority in Dalmatia are adduced as reasons for annexing a great part of Dalmatia and the islands. Dalmatia would be dangerous to Italy in the hands of Austria led by Germany: it will not be dangerous in the hands of Serbia and the Jugoslavs, because they have no navy and will not be rich enough to build up a dangerous navy; neither have they any aggressive plans. Trieste and Pola will suffice to secure for Italy the supremacy of the Adriatic; Italy’s right to these was conceded by Serbia (Pašić’s London Declaration); the main problem that Italy will have to solve is and will be the problem of population and finances. Italy very soon will out-distance France with regard to population; if Italy develops its industries and increases its wealth, it will exercise a decisive influence on the Adriatic and the Balkans through its economic strength. The eventual closing of the Adriatic in the Straits of Otranto depends mainly upon the size and efficiency of the navy. The disposition of the occupied islands in the Æean Sea must be made by agreement at the Conference.
(23) The German provinces of Austria will become an independent state; they will decide whether or no they will join the German federation.
(24) Russia will organize itself in accordance with the principle of the self-determination of nations into a federation of nations. In this federation there could in the west (outside of the Poles) be the Esthonians, Letts, and Lithuanians; the Ukraine will be an autonomous part of Russia—their attempt to be entirely independent could sufficiently convince the Ukrainians that separation from Russia will turn them into slaves of the Germans.
The various small nations of the Caucasus and of other parts of Russia and Russian Asia will enjoy national autonomy in accordance with their degree of education, national consciousness and number. The Prussian part of the Lithuanians (with a few Letts) will be united to Lithuania. The Roumanian part of Bessarabia will be joined to Roumania. Finland may be independent if it reaches an agreement to that effect with Russia.[1]
(25) In the Far East of Asia political supremacy belongs to the cultural nations of the Mongolian race; Western Asia has in fact been a part of Europe and will be organized by the agreement of Russia, France, England, and Italy. Russian Asia will remain united to Russia, English
- ↑ The entire independence of the Baltic nations has been proclaimed after the German occupation and the Russian revolution; but representatives of the Lithuanians, for instance, proposed until lately the federation with Russia. A close union of the Lithuanians with the Letts has been proposed to facilitate the independence of both peoples.The Armenians proclaimed their republic and joined the Allies in fighting the Turks and Germans; similar attempts have been tried by some of the small nations in Russia.
