763.72/12436: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy ( Page ) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received December 5—3:57 p.m.]
2445. Colonel Buckey, military attaché, just returned from Dalmatian coast reports conditions there quiet now in towns occupied by the Italians, but great bitterness existing between Italians and Jugo-Slavs, also French whom the Italians believe instigating Jugo-Slav enmity. Reported that French have acquired the important [Page 321] Hungarian-Istrian Steamship Line which the Italians claim violates spirit of armistice.
About 20 Austro-Hungarian merchant vessels still at Sebenico awaiting crews, these will be turned over to the Allies.
Buckey reports seeing at Sebenico telegram received from Diaz24 December 2d ordering immediate withdrawal from Cattaro of all Italian forces pursuant to agreement made by Sonnino in Paris under which Italian occupation is confined to Dalmatia and Northern Albania and French and Serbians will occupy Cattaro and the remainder of the coast.
Buckey saw the Hungarian deputy from Fiume to last Hungarian parliament who was in Vienna November 27th. Latter is of Italian sympathies. He stated that economic conditions in country districts of Croatia and of Austria serious but far less so than in cities. In Vienna the Red Guard already organized and famine of food and coal exists. He fears that unless situation promptly relieved Bolshevikism will greatly increase. Paris informed.
- Gen. Armando Diaz, chief of the general staff of the Italian Army.↩