Office of the Historian

860S.00/12–1347: Telegram

The United States Political Adviser (Joyce), at Trieste, to the Secretary of State

secret   urgent
Trieste, December 13, 1947—1 p. m.

218. Remytel 209 December 11 to Dept repeated Belgrade 118, Rome 149, and London as 5.1 Generals Airey and Gaither2 advised me this morning that intelligence from various sources indicates there may be disturbances in Trieste starting tomorrow morning Sunday. The Communist press is increasingly violent in attacking AMG and Belgrade radio yesterday had three items on Anglo-American terrorism in Trieste. Primorski Dnevnik yesterday ended leading article with following statement which has become central theme for Communist propaganda: “If the Government (AMG) cannot or will not assure safety and order, the people will be forced to do it themselves.” Communist press also features articles of brutality and drunkenness of British and American troops. Press attacks against police brutality and acts of terrorism against the people continued. There have recently been meetings of partisan clubs. Former Yugoslav detachment in zone A which endeavored to enter Trieste night September 15–16 has recently been moved from southern portion Yugoslav Zone FTT to positions near UK–US Zone border.

There are indications that Communist tactics may follow the Milan pattern3 and intelligence reports indicate general strike on December 17, incidentally the day when Security Council scheduled discuss Trieste Governor. Should serious disorders develop and Yugoslavs indicate intention to enter Trieste “to maintain order”, I suggest Department [Page 131] consider advisability of energetic and immediate warning to Belgrade Government.

Sent Secretary of State 218, Repeated Rome 152, Belgrade 122, London 6.4

Joyce
  1. In this telegram, not printed, U.S. Political Adviser Joyce reported several signs of preparations for some action by Communist elements and that General Airey was taking steps to meet an emergency situation.↩
  2. Brig. Gen. Ridgely Gaither, Assistant Divisional Commander, U.S. 88th Infantry Division; Deputy Commander, TRUST; head of Allied Military Government on October 22, 1947.↩
  3. See telegram 49, December 11, from Vatican City, in the documentation on the maintenance of democratic government in Italy in volume iii .↩
  4. Repeated also to the U.S. delegation at the United Nations in New York as 600, December 15.↩