Paris Peace Conf. 184.01102/499

Lieutenant Le Roy King to Professor A. C. Coolidge42

[Extract]
No. 29

Subject: General situation.

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The Italian Situation and the Peace Conference:

President Wilson’s declaration concerning Fiume has greatly gratified and consoled this volatile people. They are very pleased and seem calmly to await the final decision. The armed occupation of Fiume by the Italians does not disturb them much, as they are convinced that the former must give way, and that France and England will now support America in this question. They think that Orlando acted childishly in rushing away from the Conference, and that his country is somewhat isolated by the reported alliance between America, England and France.

The announcement of the conditions of peace with Germany has had a salutary effect in this country. The Croats are sobered by what they call the severity of the terms, and feel the prestige of Paris very deeply; particularly as they had been inclined to forget it owing to the length of time which has elapsed since the armistice. Nearly everyone with whom I have talked thinks that the conditions are too hard, although one can always convince him by argument that they are just. Doubts are expressed as to whether Germany will sign, until mention is made of the power and resources of the Allies.

Italian Activity at Fiume:

The Italians have occupied Fiume in force and are fortifying their lines. They are digging trenches and putting up barbed wire. I learn from the French that they have advanced nearly up to Bakar, and are close to Sersak. With respect to the latter place Colonel Dehove was not fully informed, and could not tell me much as he is not reporting on the Fiume situation. There is no fighting: the Italians are merely digging themselves in. Col. Dehove informs me that General Grazioli announced that the Italians would not evacuate Fiume under any circumstances and would fight for its possession if necessary. The slight affray between the French and Italians at Sersak, which was reported in the Viennese papers about 1st of May, [Page 498] appears to have been negligible. The French, of course, will say nothing about it; but the Croats here who ought to know, and who would be glad to recount such an affair, treat it as of little importance.

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Le Roy King
  1. Transmitted to the Commission by Professor Coolidge under covering letter No. 284, May 22; received May 24.