[Enclosure—Translation]
The Syndic of the Free City of Fiume
(
Antonio
) and the Delegate of the National
Council of Fiume (
Antoni
) to the American Ambassador in
Italy (
Page
)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency that the city of Fiume, as
far of [as] its right of auto-decision is
concerned has placed itself under the protection of the United
States of America, as its proclamation of annexation to Italy has
taken place on the basis of the principles enunciated by President
Wilson and constituting the fundamental basis of the new arrangement
of Europe, whose peoples now freed from Teutonic Imperialism intend
to constitute themselves into independent and nationally homogeneous
states.
The city of Fiume constitutes a “corpus separatum” of the lands of
the Crown of Saint Stephen on the basis of a diploma of Maria
Theresa of the year 1779, confirming anew the autonomous
prerogatives of the city which can be proved with historical
documents.
During the revolution of the year 1848 the Croatians took Fiume by
violence and held it in their power until the year 1867; with the
exception of this brief period of time Fiume never belonged to
Croatia although the Croatian Governments took advantage of every
occasion to enforce their pretended rights over Fiume. Thus in the
year 1868 when the matters of constitution and of public right
outstanding between Hungary and Croatia were regulated, the last
named claimed again for itself the city of Fiume. Hungary and the
city of Fiume opposed this strenuously and in order to settle the
question the national deputations were called composed of an equal
number of repre
[Page 313]
sentatives
of Hungary, of Croatia and of the city of Fiume: this is an absolute
proof that the city of Fiume was considered equal to Hungary and to
Croatia in the matter of public right; as a consequence of this
neither the Hungarian parliament nor the Croatian diet nor both
together would have been able to decide the destiny of Fiume without
the consent of the city itself. Today on the other hand we see that
Croatia,—which has never possessed the city of Fiume legally or
actually,—has committed an illegal and arbitrary action by
incorporating in a still unrecognized and entirely embryonic state
this “corpus separatum” without first obtaining the consent of
Hungary and even more that of the city of Fiume.
Here it is well to note that as soon as constitutional rights were
granted to the peoples of Austria-Hungary in the year 1867, all
power of Croatia over Fiume came to an end and consequently the
Croatian authorities were compelled to abandon the city. Then, as an
agreement could not be reached, Fiume, in its quality of third
factor of the lands of the Hungarian crown, obtained a civic
statute, confirming its autonomous prerogatives and its municipal
rights,—in which Statute (paragraph 127) the principle was
sanctioned that without the consent of Fiume this Statute could not
be modified.
Hence Fiume was temporarily united to Hungary, preserving however its
own special autonomy which is traceable to historic and
constitutional rights recognized and confirmed officially “ex
tempore immemorabili”.
Following on the dissolution of Austria-Hungary after the Italian
victory, the National Council of Zagabria, taking advantage of the
unbalanced situation, decreed at once the annexation of Fiume
“corpus separatum”, and independent Commune of Italian
nationality—and enforced this annexation with the help of the
disbanded troops and of the Austrian ex-officers.
This decision of an embryo State unrecognized on the basis of the
principles of International Law, is devoid of a juridical basis or
foundation; Fiume, being now freed of the bonds which bound it
temporarily to the lands of the Hungarian Crown and having therefore
become free and independent and master of its own destiny, has of
its own free will and by a plebiscite of the people proclaimed its
union with Italy and has constituted its National Council, which is
now in office.
It follows from all this that the Jugoslav National Council tried in
a manner contrary to every principle of equity and justice and in
spite of Italy, England and the United States of America, to commit
at Fiume an action planned in the ingenious hope that such action
once accomplished would later have constituted a basis of right for
pretensions which are simply absurd.
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The city of Fiume protests loudly against such aggression which
injures its national and independent rights, and requests the
recognition of its condition of independent State, placing its right
of auto-decision under the protection of the United States of
America. Such auto-decision will in no wise render difficult or
hinder the free lines of communication to the sea either for
Jugoslavia or for Hungary, as the port of Fiume may serve as a free
opening to the sea for these two new States and by reciprocal
agreements they will be able to have all the facilities connected
with their maritime commerce.
Will Y. E. kindly forward the present to your Government, to which
the city of Fiume and its National Council through the medium of the
undersigned legitimate representatives humbly appeal with the
request that the possibility of exercising freely and without
interference from any quarter the right of auto-decision which is
due to it, may be ensured to the city.
With all esteem and respect.
Dr. Viogian Antonio
Syndic of the Free City of Fiume and its
District
Dr. Antoni
Delegate of the National Council
