Paris Peace Conf. 186.3411/144: Telegram
The Chargé in Serbia ( Dodge ) to the Chargé in France ( Bliss )
[Received January 2, 1919—2:25 p.m.]
Please communicate to Secretary of State and repeat to the Department:
Servian Chief of Staff states about 4,000 Italian troops advancing along railway about 20 miles from Buxtadtra [?] were resisted by the population. Troops attacked using artillery. Small Servian detachment near-by withdrawn according to orders sent to Commander second Servian Army to avoid conflict. Chief of the Staff urgently requests General d’Esperey and British Military Attaché to prevent further Italian advance into [Jugo-Slavia] in order to avoid undesirable consequences.
Italians landing and resulting popular conflict reported Spalato.
These and other provocative incidents, the intriguing against Servia, of Italy, in Bulgaria and Albania, stated by the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs to be proved beyond doubt, and the recent occupation interior points Montenegro by the Allies, with Italian preponderance according to the Allies’ decision, added to [garbled group] agitations believed to be incited by Italy that Servia must evacuate Banat in view of 1916 treaty, considered to be invalidated by Servia, have produced utmost depression and anxiety. Prince Regent deeply depressed at the seeming indifference of Allies and unaccountable compliance with all Italian desires. Chief of the Staff states that Army, although perhaps not the people, can be counted upon to obey orders to avoid conflict although its patience not inexhaustible after long hardships suffered and recent magnificent advance.
In Montenegro, reported entirely quiet before occupation, a great popular meeting, including partisans Bang Nicholas, protested Italian occupation. Proposed French-Servian joint occupation Banat is preferred to Servian evacuation.
Situation critical, and growing opinion that the United States and the Allies [indifferent] is most unfortunate. Even if conflict can be avoided at present by restraining Italy, granting to Italy substantial [Page 345] portions Dalmatia or Montenegro would certainly create seed-bed future conflict.
Foregoing communicated through the Paris Embassy to Secretary of State.