Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Paris Peace Conference, 1919, Volume XI

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/156

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Monday, September 29, 1919

September 29, 1919

• Present:
  • Mr. Polk
  • Mr. White
  • General Bliss
  • Mr. Harrison

I. The Commissioners discussed the most recent information received from Admiral Andrews regarding the situation in the Adriatic. Mr. Polk mentioned the instructions under which the United States Naval Forces were operating and it was agreed that he would send a telegram to inquire whether the President desired any change in these standing instructions. The Situation in the Adriatic

II. Mr. Polk stated that he had received a telegram from Mr. Phillips giving the answers made by the French and French and Italian ambassadors in Washington to the representation which had been made to them by Mr. Phillips regarding the obstructive pro-Rumanian attitude of the French and Italian ministers in Bucarest. In Mr. Polk’s opinion both replies really meant nothing at all. Attitude of French and Italian Diplomatic Representatives in Rumania

III. Mr. Polk stated that he had looked into the matter of turning over of the Hotel to the management and was inclined to think that in view of the fact that the Hotel had been requisitioned it would be unnecessary to give the usual month’s notice. He had been told that the British had not given the month’s notice in giving up the Majestic. For this reason, and also on account of the difficulties of properly carrying on the work of the Commission, should it be necessary for the Commissioners to stay over beyond the first of November, he thought it would be desirable to cancel the orders already issued that notice should be given to the management on October first that the Hotel would be given up on the first of November. Handing Over of the Hotel Crillon

Lt. Commander John W. Reeves, Jr., U. S. N. entered the meeting.

IV. The Commissioners heard Lt. Commander Reeves, Jr. on the situation in the Adriatic.

Mr. Reeves stated that he had been with the Pittsburg since July 12, that he had left Fiume on the 25th, proceeding via Venice and Switzerland, direct to Paris. Hearing of Lt. Comdr. Reeves

Speaking of the incident at Trau, Mr. Reeves stated that the Olympia and a destroyer had proceeded to Trau and that 100 men from the Olympia and 25 from the destroyer had been landed; that the Italians had no idea of resisting, that they had offered to surrender but this had not been accepted, and that they had been ordered out of the American zone. After they had left the town, three Italians had been found and had been turned over to the Italian warship at Spalato. The American landing force had successfully patrolled the town and had placed the Italians in one house so that there would be no possibility of any untoward incident. As the Americans left, the Serbs had come in. There were now more Serb troops in Trau than there had been previously.

When word reached Spalato of the arrival of the Italians in Trau, Capt. Boyd had sent his liaison officer to the Serbs and had secured their consent to withhold action to two hours. This enabled the Americans to settle the matter without a conflict between the Serbs and the Italians. Capt. Boyd had arranged for the same arrangement to be in force should any further encroachments be made by the Italians.

Mr. Reeves stated that the Serbs generally say that war exists. Local feeling is very bitter. But, so far there have been no disorders at Spalato which is effectively policed by the Serbs.

As regards Fiume, Mr. Reeves stated that the Italians had treated the Serbs badly from the beginning. The population of the town of Fiume consisted of 75% Serbs and 25% Italians. The so-called suburb of Sussac was entirely Serb. When the Italians arrived in Fiume they prevented an election and put in the National Council. They also brought in a number of cut-throats under Major Abba. These men were practically kept under lock and key and only turned loose when the Italians wished to create disorder. The Italian troops took control of the issuance of passports, favored their own people and oppressed the Serbs. They also either compelled people to leave or forcibly deported them. Some of the former were to be found in Gravosa and Ragusa, and of the latter, some were in Italy and others in the Islands off Spalato.

Mr. Reeves described d’Annunzio’s entry into the town. On hearing of his approach, General Gondolfo, commanding the Italian forces, had proceeded in his automobile to meet d’Annunzio and had made a speech imploring him not to enter. D’Annunzio had answered from his automobile, saying that he had to come in. Gondolfo replied he could not forcibly keep him out as this would lead to fratricide. D’Annunzio then entered.

Mr. Reeves estimated that d’Annunzio had between five and eight thousand men in Fiume at the time of his departure. The so-called “Queen’s Brigade”, which was occupying Sussac, was really loyal to d’Annunzio. D’Annunzio seemed to have no difficulty in feeding his troops. The blockade was a farce. Sixty carloads of food and supplies had been allowed to enter Fiume for d’Annunzio’s forces.

In reply to a question as to the attitude of the Commander-in-Chief of the Italian forces surrounding Fiume, Mr. Reeves stated that General di Robilant who had been in command had made it known that he would use any means necessary to suppress d’Annunzio. The next day he was relieved. He was succeeded by General Badoglio, Chief of Staff of the Italian Army. Badoglio had announced that he proposed to starve out the rebels but had not committed himself about using force. Badoglio was now in Trieste. At the present time there were from fifty to seventy-five thousand Italian troops in the neighborhood of Fiume. All of these were prepared to go over to d’Annunzio. The Serbs had about fifteen thousand regular troops along the frontier line, and some volunteer forces. Mr. Reeves commented upon the lack of discipline in the Italian troops and especially certain statements in this regard which had been made to him by the Captain of the Dante Alighieri.

Referring to the American forces in the Adriatic, Mr. Reeves suggested the advisability of making an announcement to the effect that additional American and Allied forces would be sent to the Adriatic. It would be necessary to send battleships from home but he believed that if a strong force appeared their mere presence would ensure order. In answer to a question as to whether Admiral Andrews would land marines in Spalato, Mr. Reeves stated that the Admiral would not do so under his new orders.

In conclusion, Mr. Reeves stated that he planned to leave Paris for Italy on Wednesday evening, and would be glad to have any instructions or information which the Commissioners cared to give him for Admiral Andrews.