U.S. PROTEST TO JUGOSLAVIA

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25299, 26 September 1947, Page 7

U.S. PROTEST TO JUGOSLAVIA

ACTIONS DECLARED “IRRESPONSIBLE”

DEMANDS FOR BOUNDARY REVISION

(Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON. September 25. The United States has sent a Note to Jugoslavia protesting against “irresponsible Jugoslav actions” in presenting ultimatums to the Allied mili-

tary representatives in the Trieste area demanding alterations in the provisional boundary between the BritishAmerican zone of Trieste and Jugoslavia. The United States Acting-Sec-retary of State (Mr Robert Lovett) revealed this to-day. He added that the Note said that such ultimatums were “likely to precipitate incidents leading to very serious consequences.” The American Note rejected as without foundation and unworthy of comment Jugoslav protests alleging misconduct by the American military forces during their withdrawal from the territory ceded to Jugoslavia under the Italian peace treaty. From Trieste it is reported that a dash between Communists and civil police under the Allied Military Government occurred when the police headed off and broke up a march of 400 Communists.

Twelve thousands workers left their jobs in response to a “general strike** order which a Communist-dominated workers’ organisation issued as a protest against the Allied Military Government’s suspension of six of its members. Half the city’s stores dosed, and half the transport failed to operate. The Allied Military Government, which branded the strike as “(he first Communist attempt to hamper the essential life of Trieste,” arrested nine of the organisation’s members for allegedly assaulting and intimidating workers who refused to strike. 'Hie strike ended at midnight yesterday. The Jugoslav Minister in Rome has protested to the Italian Foreign Minister (Court Sforza) about alleged acts of violence against Slovenes in the Julian March area, which was handed to Italy under the peace treaty.