740.00119 Control (Italy)/10–3045: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:36 p.m.]
11359. Department’s 8842, October 5,10 and Rome’s 258, October 2, to Embassy;11 Department’s 878, October 5 to Caserta. Foreign Office official today informed us that Foreign Office had communicated with British Military authorities at Caserta regarding Stone’s recommendations for liaison officers along west coast of Istria. Official said that Foreign Office does not believe it practicable to station liaison officers on western coast as it is doubtful if they could prevent further deportations and undoubtedly there would be incidents with Yugoslav authorities. Foreign Office thinks that only thing that could be done is to urge Belgrade Government to desist from such deportations. Foreign Office told military authorities at Caserta that whatever populations prevail after such deportations, the line they would back for demarcation between Italy and Yugoslavia would be based on ethnographic position before the war. Foreign Office has also inquired of Caserta what measures are being taken to prevent Yugoslav infiltrations into Istrian coastal area.
Sent Department as 11359; repeated Caserta as 142.