Paris Peace Conf. 186.3411/99
The Commander of United States Naval Forces in the Eastern Mediterranean ( Bullard ) to Admiral W. S. Benson
U. S. S. “Gregory,” Fiume
, 16
December, 1918.
Subject: Report of Events in Eastern Adriatic.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- 2.
- The more I see and study conditions at Fiume the more incomprehensible they seem. Italy has virtually taken possession of this city and to my mind without the slightest justification. I enclose a clipping from a note which I received from the Italian Lieutenant General29 who is acting as governor “Commanding inter-Allied Corps of Occupation of Fiume”. These incidents may be entirely without [my?] jurisdiction, but think they should be brought to your attention. I have never been informed there was an Allied International Occupation of Fiume, though to be sure there are troops of all Allies here and he is the senior. Twelve thousand Italian troops, and a battalion of American troops may compose an Inter-Allied army, but it looks to me as though it was a real Italian Army. Certainly our Senior Army officer has no independent command, his force constitutes a constituent part of the Italian Army, just as much now as it did on the Piave, and he has had no different orders since that time. I had some information tonight, though not yet confirmed, that the Italian authorities had consented to the use of this port by the French for a base for their troops, both of evacuation and to supply stores for the army remaining inland. I do not know where the Italians got the power to give permission to anybody and this is given as an illustration of their complete dominance, and acceptance of authority. I took a long ride today into the interior to visit some small neighborhood towns, and I was greatly surprised to see the extent to which the Italian domination extends in and near the city, but in the country hardly any but Jugo-Slav or Serbian flags were seen and I believe the country population are strongly Slavic. As soon as we were recognized as Americans every attention was paid us and every courtesy shown, and politeness and respect was the rule everywhere. A battalion of Serbians are in barracks just outside the city to look after the interests of their expected new country and port, but their force is so small it is lost in the complete domination of the Italians. I cannot describe the situation but one of complete occupation and domination, and Fiume appears almost as an Italian city as Venice or any other city in Italy. Coercion is practiced and the real Slav supporters are afraid to exhibit their flags, while the Italians put up flags everywhere and put a soldier [Page 333] on guard over them and resort to all kinds of propaganda. At the so-called Palace where the Governor resides, “Mayor”, I believe, is the real term, an immense Italian flag floats over it in a high conspicuous place, while over the balcony float all other Allied flags in a horizontal row on the same level, and they had the look of being exposed for decorative purposes—rather than one of nationality.
- 3.
- Colonel Wallace, U. S. Army, called on me today and after his visit I sent you despatch Adriatic 16.30 I asked him where his troops were quartered, and being told, remarked that I had seen no flag to mark their nationality and he reported it was not flying. I suggested and advised that it should fly where his troops were, as I believe it to be axiomatic that [where] our troops are there also should be our flag.
- 4.
- Adriatic 1730 was prepared with the idea of testing the direct telegraphic communication to [from?] this port to Paris. If it is successful it will not be necessary to keep a destroyer at Venice for communication purposes and the services of this destroyer are needed elsewhere for messenger and mail service.
- 5.
- The Birmingham was to have left Venice today for Fiume but her sailing was delayed by fog. There is a great deal of fog on the Italian side of the Adriatic at this time of year, but on the eastern side the weather is ideal.
- 6.
- Adriatic 1830 was based on a report received from the Leonidas reporting arrival at Curzola on way to Corfu with chasers. The critical conditions spoken of, I do not know of, but will eventually get a report.
- 7.
- I am afraid this is going to be a week of inactivity as nothing can be done towards a meeting of the committee of inquiry until the return of Commodore Dumesnil from Corfu, to which place he went for instructions. What the character of these instructions will be I have no means of knowing, but the instructions of the English Admiral and mine are identical and contain no details whatsoever, and I believe none are necessary. I shall keep you informed by despatches of all developments.
W. H. G. bullard