763.72/12565
The Serbian Chargé ( Simitch ) to the Acting Secretary of State 31
Sir: I am instructed by the Serbian Government to bring to your attention the following:
The Italian Army is occupying places in Kranjska which is in disregard of the demarkation line included in the armistice. The Treaty of London specifically states that the line follows the water boundaries between the River Save and the Adriatic Sea, but, in contravention of this stipulation in the Treaty, the Italians are occupying St. Peter, Adelsberg and the Mountain Loitch [Ober-Loitsch?], which are all within the boundaries of the rivers tributary to the River Save. Moreover, the Italian Army is in possession of four kilometres of territory in the region of Vrhinke [Vrhnika] (Ober-Laibach) which is also contrary to the demarkation line.
These facts are creating antagonism among the inhabitants directly interested in the territory usurped by the Italians, but they are patiently submitting to the injustice, believing that through the intervention of the great powers their just demands will eventually be righted.
In bringing the above to your knowledge the Serbian Government anticipates that the United States Government will endeavor to persuade the Italian Government to instruct its army to keep within the limits prescribed in the armistice.
Please accept [etc.]
- Repeated to the Commission to Negotiate Peace in Department’s telegram No. 90, Dec. 21, 1918, with added sentence: “Chargé informed matter has been referred to you.”↩