763.72119/2888: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy ( Page ) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 5—9:12 a.m.]
2438. I am informed that certain “Adriatic Deputies” who started from the Italian cities on the Eastern Adriatic intending to go to Washington are now holding themselves in readiness to go to Paris, or London to see the President. Their programme is, I learn, the boundary line fixed by the papers [pact?] of London modified however by certain concessions in exchange for some agreement about Fiume and possibly the inclusion of Spalato in the Italian claims. Also liberal concessions regarding commercial rights, such as making Fiume and even Trieste free ports with agreed guarantees in commercial, political and cultural lines on behalf of Slavs within these cities.
I hear also that there is probably a definite though undisclosed agreement between these political leaders and the Hungarian leaders.
I am informed furthermore that there is great difficulty in presenting to the American public Italian claims in the Adriatic because France appears to be barring out all cable news sent by the press from Italy relating to the Jugoslav situation, and that the only information touching the Adriatic question from Italian sources which reaches America is that sent by this Embassy. Paris informed.