Paris Peace Conf. 865.00/11: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy ( Page ) to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Received January 9—3:50 p.m.]
57. Urgent for the President. Bissolati’s having seen the President, has made a profound impression here. I had a conversation with Baron Sonnino late this afternoon which indicates, as possible, important changes his position. Both he and Orlando, whom I had seen earlier in the day, were manifestly much impressed and even anxious over this situation. Sonnino reiterated his arguments as to the means of redeeming Italy from peril of menace from inner water way of Eastern Coast, and to my suggestion that provision might be made to prevent possibility of this menace and secure freedom of really Italian cities under guarantees, he argued the impossibility of such a provision being effective and cited the present condition of terror in Montenegro, whose independence is being destroyed under a presumingly free choice by her people, and added that the King had told the President something of the situation. On this I having first made plain that I had no part in the peace proceedings and no authority to speak for the President, or anyone. I asked Sonnino why he did not give up his contention about Dalmatia, which does not appeal to others and try to secure the freedom of the really Italian cities and the independence of Montenegro. I said “You are the one [Page 474] who can bring Italy and America together, and settle one of the most difficult obstacles to the peace.” He appeared struck by this, and said that if Montenegro which has always been free and withstood the Turks so long were given independence, and were given Cattaro, which is necessary to her, it would certainly make a difference to Italy. I told him I did not know the President’s views on the present Montenegrin situation beyond the general sympathy with the aspirations of peoples to be free, but personally had much sympathy with Montenegro and believed the recent so-called election in Montenegro to have been a sham.
I think Sonnino is ready in view of recent manifestations to concede much more than ever before.