TERRITORIAL QUESTIONS AND RELATIONS WITH NEW STATES

JUGOSLAVIA-Continued

The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Secretary of State (tel.)
Foreign Minister's concern over reported order to withdraw
U. S. regiment from Italy; belief that its presence will do
much to prevent clashes.

The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Secretary of State (tel.)
Report of facts brought out at a naval conference concern-
ing the Eastern Adriatic.

The Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) to Colonel E. M. House
Reasons why the Council at Zagreb has voted for a junction
with the kingdom of Serbia.

The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Secretary of State (tel.)
Report that friction between Italians and French continues
in parts of Eastern Adriatic coast.

Colonel E. M. House to the Secretary of State (tel.)

For the President: General Pershing's opinion that U. S.
troops already in Italy might be used in occupying disputed
areas; telegram from the War Department to General Pershing,
November 28 (text printed), directing that U. S. troops be
withdrawn from Italy; suggestion that matter be taken up
with Secretary of War.

The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Secretary of State (tel.)
Information concerning the program of certain "Adriatic
Deputies" who are ready to go to London or Paris to see
President Wilson.

316

316

317

318

319

320

Dec. 4 (2445)

Dec. 5

The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Acting Secretary of State
(tel.)

320

Report by military attaché of conditions along the Dalmatian coast.

The Serbian Legation to the Department of State

321

Dec. 6 (1087)

Dec. 7

Request that U. S. Government use its influence to curb friction between Italy and the National Council in Zagreb. The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Acting Secretary of State Letter from a deputy to the Dalmatian Diet to the U. S. Ambassador in Italy, November 30 (text printed), setting forth conditions at Spalato and the necessity for its occupation by Allied troops.

322

The President of the Italian National Council of Fiume (Grossich)
to the Acting Secretary of State (tel.)
Expression of confidence that the Peace Conference will
recognize Fiume's desire for union with Italy.

323

Dec. 11

The Serbian Legation to the Department of State

323

Dec. 13

Note addressed to the Serbian Government by the National
Council of Ljubljana (text printed) imploring that U. S.
Government be requested to persuade Italians to retire from
all Jugoslav territory which they now occupy.
The Serbian Legation to the Department of State

Protest to the United States against measures adopted by
Italian administration in Jugoslav territory; request that
U. S. Government employ most energetic means to influence
Italian Government to change the orders to its troops.

325

TERRITORIAL QUESTIONS AND RELATIONS WITH NEW STATES

JUGOSLAVIA-Continued

Date and number

1918 Dec. 14

The Chargé in Serbia (Dodge) to the Acting Secretary of State
(tel.)

326

Dec. 15

Dec. 15

Dec. 16

Dec. 17 (40)

Dec. 18 (243)

Dec. 19

Statement by Assistant Foreign Minister that, while Serbia
will do everything to restrain her troops and the population of
Dalmatia, Italy seems bent upon provoking an incident in that
region in order to alienate Serbia from her Allies.

Copy of Telegram From the British Ambassador in France (Derby)
to the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Balfour)
Information, transmitted at the request of Colonel House,
concerning the probable attitude of President Wilson with
regard to the dispute between the Jugoslavs and Italy.
The Commander of United States Naval Forces in the Eastern
Mediterranean (Bullard) to Admiral W. S. Benson
Report of activities in the Eastern Adriatic; appointment by
Admiral Sims as U. S. representative on a commission to make
an inquiry and report to the Allied Governments on the exist-
ing situation; belief that there is no necessity for troops in
Fiume.

The Commander of United States Naval Forces in the Eastern
Mediterranean (Bullard) to Admiral W. S. Benson
Report of events in the Eastern Adriatic; description of
Fiume as completely occupied and dominated by Italians.
The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate
Peace (tel.)

Communication from the Italian Embassy, December 11,
concerning the Jugoslav-Italian situation (text printed).
The Serbian Chargé (Simitch) to the Acting Secretary of State
Serbian Government's claim that Italian Army is occupy-
ing places in Kranjska in disregard of the demarcation line
included in the armistice; anticipation that U. S. Government
will endeavor to persuade Italian Government to instruct its
Army to keep within limits prescribed in the armistice.

The Commander of United States Naval Forces in the Eastern
Mediterranean (Bullard) to Admiral W. S. Benson (tel.)
Receipt of a memorandum from the National Jugoslav
Council of Fiume-Susak setting forth their grievances against
the Italians; reasons why they protest against Italian occupa-
tion, and remedies which they request.

326

327

332

333

335

335

Dec. 21 (314)

The President of the Italian National Council of Fiume (Gros-
sich) to the Acting Secretary of State

336

Protest against seizure of part of the harbor of Fiume by the
French Government as a base for supplying the Eastern Army.
General Tasker H. Bliss to President Wilson

337

Dec. 23

Dec. 23

Belief of the American Peace Commission that President
Wilson might find it desirable to authorize the Commission
to draw up general rules to govern the use of the U. S. regiment
in the Eastern Adriatic region, since it appears that this
regiment is being used to further political aims.

The Commander of United States Naval Forces in the Eastern
Mediterranean (Bullard) to Admiral W. S. Benson (tel.)
Report of unpleasant incident at Spalato between Italian
destroyer and Slav population.

338

TERRITORIAL QUESTIONS AND RELATIONS WITH NEW STATES

Jugoslavia—Continued

Date and number

Subject

Page

1918 Dec. 25

Undated

Dec. 26 (6889)

Dec. 26

Dec. 27 (33)

Dec. 29

The Commander of United States Naval Forces in the Eastern
Mediterranean (Bullard) to Admiral W. S. Benson (tel.)
Explanations of conditions at Fiume given to the com-
mission of inquiry by the French General and the Italian
Lieutenant General.

The Commander of United States Naval Forces in the Eastern
Mediterranean (Bullard) to Admiral W. S. Benson (tel.)
Statement of English General Gordon before naval com-
mittee, December 24 (text printed), including assertion that
there were no disorders in Fiume before Italians landed.
Statement of Lieutenant Colonel Everson (text printed) to
the effect that Fiume appears to be occupied by Italians and
not by Allies.

The Chargé in France (Bliss) to the Acting Secretary of State

Communication addressed by the Jugoslav Assembly to
the Allied Powers, November 13, protesting against the occu-
pation by the Italian naval forces of certain territory claimed
by the Jugoslav nation (text printed).

The Commander of United States Naval Forces in the Eastern
Mediterranean (Bullard) to Admiral W. S. Benson (tel.)
Information that naval committee has reconvened but that
inquiry is delayed in order to permit Italian Admiral to consult
his Government.

339

340

341

342

The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Commission to Negotiate
Peace (tel.)

343

From chief of American military mission at Padua: Report on inquiries into situation in territory occupied by Italians. The Commander of United States Naval Forces in the Eastern Mediterranean (Bullard) to Admiral W. S. Benson (tel.) Testimony given to naval authorities by inhabitants of outlying districts.

343

Dec. 31

The Chargé in Serbia (Dodge) to the Chargé in France (Bliss)
(tel.)

344

For the Secretary of State and the Department: Report of alleged acts of intrigue and aggression by Italy against Serbia and her interests.

1919 Jan.

6

The Secretary of State to President Wilson

345

Request for expression of views concerning matters reported by the Chargé in Serbia in his telegram supra.

Jan.

9

President Wilson to the Secretary of State

345

Difficulty in dealing with matters reported by the Chargé in Serbia; suggestion that they might be called to the attention of Baron Sonnino, since he is in Paris.

The French Ambassador to the United States (Jusserand) to the
Secretary of State

Information that a single government has been set up
representing Serbia, Montenegro, and the Serbian, Croatian
and Slovene countries of former Austria-Hungary; willingness
of France to recognize the new state if U. S., British, and
Italian Governments desire to do so; inquiry as to U. S.
intentions.

807043-42—vol. II- -3

345

Jan. 10

The French Ambassador to the United States (Jusserand) to the
Secretary of State

346

Statement that British and Italian Governments prefer that question of recognition of the new state be settled by the Peace Conference; suggested reply (text printed) to Serbian note on the subject.

MONTENEGRO

1918 •Nov. 21 (5958)

Nov. 22 (5970)

Nov. 27

Dec. 4 (124)

The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State (tel.)
Receipt of a letter from the President of the Montenegrin
Committee for National Union, violently attacking King
Nicholas.

The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State (tel.)
Receipt of a note from Montenegrin Government complain-
ing against actions of Serbia and stating that Serbia plans to
absorb Montenegro against the wishes of the Montenegrin
people.

The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State (tel.)
Report that a note dated November 25 has been received
from the Montenegrin Government complaining of Serbian
penetration.

The Montenegrin Minister (Gvosdenovitch) to the Assistant Secre-
tary of State (Phillips)

Despatch from the Acting Foreign Minister (text printed)
denying report that National Assembly has met, deposed the
King, and voted for union with Serbia.

347

347

347

348

Dec. 4 (3447)

The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland
(Stovall) (tel.)

349

Instructions to investigate press reports indicating that the
King of Montenegro has been deposed.

Dec. 7 (149)

Manifesto of the National Executive Committee of Montenegro
Directed to the Government of the United States
Resolutions passed by the Great Servian National Assembly
of Montenegro at Podgoritza deposing King Nicholas and
proclaiming the union of Serbia and Montenegro.

349

Dec. 7

The Serbian Chargé (Simitch) to the Assistant Secretary of State
(Phillips)

350

Dec. 7

Dec. 9 (4)

Copy of a telegram officially forwarded to the Chargé (text
printed) concerning the union of Montenegro and Serbia.

The Serbian Chargé (Simitch) to the Assistant Secretary of State
(Phillips)

Communication from the Serbian Prime Minister contain-
ing declaration, December 1, by representatives of the Jugoslav
National Council of Zagreb to the Prince Regent of Serbia
and the Prince Regent's reply proclaiming the union of the
two states in the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes
(texts printed).

The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Commission to Negotiate
Peace (tel.)

Confirmation by pro-Serbians that Montenegro is discon

tented.

351

354

TERRITORIAL QUESTIONS AND RELATIONS WITH NEW STATES

MONTENEGRO-Continued

1918 Dec. 12 (6139)

The Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) to the Acting Secretary of
State (tel.)

355

Dec. 13 (6159)

Dec. 18 (135)

Information, in reply to telegram No. 3447, of December 4,
concerning the meeting at Podgoritza of representatives of the
Montenegrin National Committee.

The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Acting Secretary of
State (tel.)

Receipt of a note from the Montenegrin Committee for
National Union announcing the action of the National Assembly
at Podgoritza; receipt also of a note from the Montenegrin
Government stating that the action was illegal since the
National Assembly is nonexistent.

The Chargé in Serbia (Dodge) to the Acting Secretary of State

Report of information obtained from various sources concerning the action of the National Assembly at Podgoritza. The Secretary of the Montenegrin Legation (Matanovitch) to the Acting Secretary of State

Telegram from the Acting Foreign Minister, December 23,
denying report that National Assembly has voted for annexa-
tion to Serbia (text printed).

The Montenegrin Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs (Chotch)
to the American Chargé in France (Bliss)
Statement that Montenegro is formally blockaded by
Serbian authorities; appeal to Allies that blockade be removed,
that Allied troops be sent to Montenegro, and that the Serbian
troops and authorities be sent away.

The Embassy in France to the Commission to Negotiate Peace

Letter addressed by the Montenegrin Acting Foreign Minister to the American Chargé, December 29, 1918 (text printed), protesting against the actions of the Serbian Government, and enclosing a note from the Serbian Chargé near the Montenegrin Government, December 28, 1918 (text printed), stating that his function has come to an end because of the union of Montenegro and Serbia.

355

356

358

358

359

The Montenegrin Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs (Chotch)
to the American Chargé in France (Bliss)
Statement bringing to the attention of the Allies the pro-
ceedings of Serbia against Montenegro.

361

361

The British Chargé (Barclay) to the Acting Secretary of State
Intention of British Government to protest to Serbian
Government against their action in creating a fait accompli in
Montenegro, thus attempting to prejudice the decisions of the
Peace Conference; desire that Associated Governments take
similar action.

King Nicholas I of Montenegro to President Wilson

Appeal to President Wilson; hope that United States and
Allies will compel Serbia to right the wrong she has done.

The Ambassador in Italy (Page) to the Commission to Negotiate
Peace (tel.)

Statement by the Montenegrin Peace Conference delegate
that the Montenegrin peasant party staged a revolution January
3 and have demanded an Allied occupation of Montenegro.

362

365