763.72/12555: Telegram
The Chargé in Serbia ( Dodge ) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received December 17—10:09 p.m.]
Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs spoke to me today of Italian attitude, stating confidentially that to him personally complaints to Italy and seeming indifference to Yugo-Slav interests of Allies were inexplicable, and that while Servia will do everything to restrain her troops and greatly irritated Dalmatian population an incident might occur at any moment involving the most far-reaching consequence. Italy seemed bent upon provoking such an incident with a view to alienating Servia from her Allies. He referred, among other matters, especially to irritation caused by Yugo-Slav ships being obliged to fly Italian colors. They would willingly fly any other Allied flags.
Minister’s expression may be considered representative of present prevailing opinion here.
Italian residents at Zara recently insulted British and Japanese flags, Italian officers present not interfering. Italian divisions Fiume reported increased to three.