Paris Peace Conf. 186.3411/93
[Enclosure—Translation]
Mr. Roberto
Ghiglianovich to the American Ambassador in
Italy (
Page
)
Rome
, November 30, 1918.
Excellency: Encouraged by the favourable
reception given to me and to my colleagues on the occasion of the
projected journey to America, I take the liberty of addressing to
you the following earnest request.
I have very serious information from Spalato, where the citadel is
entirely in the hands of the provisional Jugoslav Government for
Dalmatia, which is abusing thereof not only to the detriment of the
Italians of Spalato, but also as a base of general anti-Italian
propaganda. The Italians of Spalato, which constitute a considerable
portion of that population, being outraged in their sentiments and
rights, are in abnormal and dangerous conditions, being compelled by
violence to repress any national or political manifestation. Such a
condition of affairs can only be mended by the military occupation
of the city. It would be Italy’s duty to do this; but I think that
the only scruple which prevents it from doing so is the fear of
giving access to those who may have been given to an erroneous
interpretation of an excess in the application of the terms of the
armistice, and to overbearing tendencies, whilst in reality the
reason is merely humanitarian and based on a question of proper
balance. In order to safeguard every interest, the indispensable
occupation of Spalato should be carried out by mixed troops, that is
to say by Italo-American troops. I have reason to believe that this
solution, calculated to maintain the peace in such an important
economic and commercial centre of Dalmatia—where even the matter of
provisions is most pressing—would correspond with the views of the
Government and the Italian Admiralty staff.
To whom should I entrust the fostering of this just solution if not
to you, Excellency, representative of the great and free American
people, so deeply interested in our affairs, and who has always
shown so much personal sympathy for the cause of the Italians of
Dalmatia?
[Page 323]
This is the reason of my taking the liberty of addressing you, and
absolves me from further blame.
Believe me [etc.]
