CLAIM TO TRIESTE BY FORCE OF ARMS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 118, 21 May 1945, Page 5

CLAIM TO TRIESTE BY FORCE OF ARMS

ALEXANDER Mil IST

Tito Expresses Resentful Surprise N.Z. Press Association—Copyright LONDON, May 20. Field-Marshal Alexander, in a statement to Allied troops in the Mediterranean theatre on Marshal Tito's "apparent intention to establish claims to the Trieste region by force of arms," said: "Action of this kind would be all too reminiscent of Hitler, Mussolini and Japan. It is to prevent actions of this kind that we have been fighting the war. I tried my best to come to a friendly agreement with Marshal Tito, but did not succeed. The British and American Governments, as a result of this, have taken up the matter directly with Marshal Tito." Marshal Tito, replying to FieldMarshal Alexander in an interview With the New Yugoslavia Telegraph Agency, said: "I cannot but express resentment and surprise at the impossible comparison that the presence of Yugoslav troops in Austria and in the Slovene littoral is similar to Hitler's, Mussolini's and Japanese methods of conquest. Such an accusation can only be thrown in the face of an enemy, but not against an ally who has been tortured, bled white and so far recognised by all freedomloving peoples as an example of selfsacrifice and heroism. The Yugsolav Army chased the occupation forces right beyond the Isonzo River, and no character of conquest can be attributed to its presence in the territory. "I again declare that Yugoslavia and her army are prepared to cooperate with the Allied forces, but at the same time I declare that Yugo-' slavia cannot allow herself to be humiliated or tricked out of her rights. Yugoslavia is prepared for collaboration on a basis w"hich shall not be insulting or humiliating to her as an Allied country."

The Associated Press correspondent at Allied Headquarters in Italy says it is confirmed that Marshal Tito in July, 1944, and again last February, agreed that for military purposes Allied forces should occupy Venezia Guilia, including Trieste, while Yugoslavs should occupy Fiume and the area east of a line running roughly north from Fiume. Allied Headquarters say that when the detailed written agreement embodying these terms was sent to Belgrade on May 8 Marshal Tito rejected it and said: "An understanding cannot now be reached on the basis suggested. Recent events have changed the situation. The problem involving Italy and Austria is now political, not military." Marshal Tito insisted that Yugoslavia had the right to occupy the territories she conquered, and did not intend to withdraw from east of the Isonzo River. Belgrade radio to-night referred bitterly to the Trieste crisis. "Why is the report spread that New Zealanders entered Trieste before the Yugoslavs? Would it add any glory to the British Army to say they occupied a few streets of Trieste when they have been victorious throughout the world? We ask to be treated like equals. We have repeatedly emphasised our intention to submit our claims to the Peace Conference, but we are not prepared to let Bonomi administer Yugoslav territory." Count Sforza, who negotiated the ftapallo Treaty, by which Trieste was ceded to Italy after the last war, sent a message to the British, American and Russian Governments saying: "Yugoslav control of Trieste would be a new Alsace-Lorraine, which would poison the world." Colonel Bogumolov, chief of the Russian military mission .with Marshal Tito's Slovene forces, visited and conferred with General FreyThe new Yugoslav Ambassador to Britain has arrived in London.