THE COUNCIL OF FOUR


[sic] on the other. There would be constant friction between them.
Moreover, when the Italian people saw what additions were involved to
their budgets they would not like the arrangements. He could not
understand the position of the Italian Government in this matter. He
compared it to the popular clamour against the destruction of war-
ships, the fact not being understood how heavy was the cost of their
upkeep.
14. SIR MAURICE HANKEY stated that he had received a letter from
M. Berthelot stating that the Committee set up on May 1st (I. C.
New States.  178 B [178 D] Minute 8)8 had established that the
Conditions To Be  problem applied equally to certain countries such as
Accepted byeqal
Them. Exten-  Roumania and Greece which would receive territorial
sion of Terms
of Reference  increases very much in the same conditions as new
to Committee
States like Poland, Czecho-Slovakia and the kingdom
of the Serbo-Croats and Slovenes. The question was especially im-
portant by reason of guarantees to be formulated for the Jews of
Roumania and the Mussulmans of Thrace and Albania. The Com-
mittee therefore asked for an extension of its terms of reference to
include Roumania and Greece.
The above proposal was approved and Sir Maurice Hankey was
instructed to notify M. Berthelot accordingly.
Albania        15. PRESIDENT WILSON drew attention to the posi-
tion the Italians had assumed in Albania.
MR. LLOYD GEORGE said that a Protectorate had been announced with-
out informing any of their Allies.
PRESIDENT WLSON said that Albania ought to be independent.
MR. LLOYD GEORGE doubted if sufficient unity could be ensured.
16. MR. LLOYD GEORGE said he thought some attempt ought to be
made to proceed further in regard to Turkey. Otherwise the Italians
would establish themselves there. M. Clemenceau on
Turkey   -    the previous day had told them that Italy had seven
battleships at Smyrna. This meant that they intended to land troops.
It was said that Italy was making trouble between the Greeks and
Turks, and having done so they would land troops with the ostensible
object of keeping the peace.
PRESIDENT WILSON remarked that they would have to be informed
that if they did not evacuate they would get no money.
MR. LLOYD GEORGE said that America had had a good deal of ex-
perience of bankrupt countries in central America, and Europe had
had a good deal of experience of the same kind in the Balkans and
Turkey. The one thing these countries could always do was to make
war.
PRESIDENT WILSON suggested that they did it by living on the
country.
Ante, p. 394.


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