ITALO-UGOSLAV DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 68, 20 March 1919, Page 7

ITALO-UGOSLAV DISPUTE.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I have read with profound disgust the letter of Mr. Giovanni Pagni, Consul for Italy, in your recent issue. I feel that Mr. Pagni's statement should be corrected and tbe true position explained to your readers. The names of such honoured Italian patriots as Garibaldi, Mazzini and Covour cannot be brought forward to screen the aggressive policy of Italy at the present day. I can point out to your readers numbers of Jugoslav patriots who cannot be classed as opportunist. There are Trumbish, Tresich, Pavicich, Vosnjak, Cingria, and others only defending that which is ours and the land of our people. After many months of work by the moderate element Italy was pledged at the Rome conference to respect the just claims of Jugoslav aspiration, and to-day after many Jugoslav regimente have served in the Italian armies, encouraged by the pact of Rome, Italy has refused even to let them return home. Italy is still keeping our regiments as prisoners of war, and they say further, "We are not going to recognise your country, nor give you just boundaries." I would ask Mr. Pagni where is that spirit of compromise about which he speaks? What has happened to the pledge that was given to our patriots at the Rome conference? Alas, I am afraid that the Jingo party of Italy to-day have no intention of adopting a friendly attitude towards the Jugoslavs.—l am, etc.,

IVAN LETICA, A Returned Soldier.