I do not like it.' "'Well,' I said, 'you cannot charge me with that way of doing business.' "'I cannot,' he replied, 'you tell me the truth.

I may not like it, but at least you do not hold out false hopes.'" The foregoing conversation no doubt expressed the real sentiments of the members of the Italian delegation at that time.

Disgust with confidential personal interviews and with relying upon personal influence rather than upon the merits of their case was the natural reaction following the failure to win by these means the President's approval of Italy's demands.
The Italian policy in relation to Flume was wrecked on the rock of President Wilson's firm determination that the Jugo-Slavs should have a seaport on the Adriatic sufficient for their needs and that Italy should not control the approaches to that port.

With the wreck of the Fiume policy went in time the Orlando Government which had failed to make good the promises which they had given to their people.

Too late they realized that secret diplomacy had failed, and that they had made a mistake in relying upon it.