740.00119 Control (Italy)/11–1245: Telegram
The Deputy United States Political Adviser in Italy (Offie) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:27 p.m.]
4098. Reference my 4036, November 3, 4 p.m.16 General Harding has informed SAC that he called on Parri at Udine on evening of November 10 and explained that since he was responsible to General Morgan for law and order and security of Allied troops and their communications in that area, he naturally was interested in Parri’s visit. Italian Prime Minister stated to General Harding he had just come from meeting of Action Party at which in general terms he had touched on Venezia Giulia problem. Parri explained that aim and wish of Italian Government was to secure by agreement interests of Italian nationals, and to do all possible to help in finding solution which would make accessible to all user nations the facilities of the port of Trieste. He went on to emphasize the restraint and moderation shown to date by Italian Government. Harding agreed Italians had shown restraint and expressed the hope for continued restraint, adding that in his opinion it was particularly important Italians should refrain from any provocative action at present juncture. Parri agreed fully and reiterated his previous remarks about Italian moderation and added that so far none of the reconciliatory advances made by his government had elicited any response from the Yugos at all. He then explained he was attending a general meeting of the Action Party that evening but that he did not intend to make a formal speech then and would not be touching on the frontier problem in any case. Parri appeared to appreciate the interest shown in his visit by General Harding. Referring to the solution of the problem of Venezia Giulia, Harding asked Parri what his own views were. Latter replied he shared views De Gasperi had already expressed, and obviously hoped for frontier on Wilson Line, but admitted it might, to the advantage of Yugoslavia, be modified slightly in places by negotiation with that country. Parri was most emphatic in view that if it was prepared to accept a treaty that did not provide for the predominantly Italian city of Trieste and West Coast of Istria being within political frontiers of Italy, no Italian Government could remain in power.
The question of the frontier between Italy and Austria was then discussed and Parri said he felt very strongly that for economic reasons the Southern Tyrol must remain in Italy although Italy had [Page 1213] no ethnical claim on the Tarvisio area. He added Italy had no wish to evict the Tyrolese or Italianize them.
The question of the present position in Western Istria was then raised by Parri and he inquired whether in the case of incidents such as that reported recently in Capodistria,17 it would not be possible for Allied troops to intervene to protect them. Harding explained that east of the Morgan Line he could not take action. Italian Prime Minister then asked General Harding if he could point out to any Yugo commanders that the latter came in contact with, how damaging to an agreed solution and future relations between Italy and Yugoslavia such incidents were. Harding agreed to take any opportunities that arose to point this out. Parri stated he hoped it might be possible for Allied warships to visit ports on West Istrian coast as he believed it would have a reassuring effect, and Harding replied that during General Morgan’s forthcoming visit he would discuss the matter. See my No. 4072 of November 8, 4 p.m.18