In other words, the Royal Government would not be influenced in its attitude by our victories.

Even had our armies advanced much farther than they did, it would have held to its standpoint in the expectation that, perhaps not Italy herself, but her Allies, would secure final victory.
Such was the situation in the autumn of 1917 when Wilson came forward with his Fourteen Points.
The advantage of the Wilson programme in the eyes of the whole world was its violent contrast to the terms of the Pact of London.

The right of self-determination for the nations had been utterly ignored in London by the allotment of German Tyrol to Italy.

Wilson forbade this and declared that nations could not be treated against their will and moved hither and thither like the pieces in a game of chess.

Wilson said that every solution of a territorial question arising out of this war must be arrived at in the interests and in favour of the peoples concerned, and not as a mere balancing or compromise of claims from rival sources; and further, that all clearly stated national claims would receive the utmost satisfaction that could be afforded them, without admitting new factors or the perpetuation of old disputes or oppositions, which in all probability would soon again disturb the peace of Europe and the whole world.