ALLIED OPTIMISM

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 121, 24 May 1945, Page 7

ALLIED OPTIMISM

TRIESTE SITUATION

POSSIBILITY OF AGREEMENT (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) Rec. 11.40 a.m.. LONDON, May 23.

Official circles in London state that exchanges on a diplomatic level on the Trieste situation are still proceeding, says the Press Association's diplomatic correspondent. Progress is being made, and a second communication received from Field-Marshal Alexander represents a constructive approach to the solution.

The correspondent understands that the Yugoslavs have agreed to the establishment of a military government under Field-Marshal Alexander, with Yugoslav participation, and operating through civilian authorities already established in the disputed area.

Optimism in Allied circles in Trieste about the possibility of reaching an agreement with Yugoslavia is higher than at any time since the city was entered. It is. reported that negotiations are now proceeding on "higher levels" and are running smoothly, and that an agreement within a matter of days would cause no surprise. Despite the better • atmosphere, however, neither side has relaxed its vigilance. Marshal Tito's forces have been strengthened .by the arrival of 20 medium tanks of Russian manufacture. British and American troops peacefully penetrated into the hills northwest of Trieste and east from Gorizia yesterday. From their new positions General McCreery's men now overlook the strategically important railway between Trieste and Gorizia, over which the bulk of the Allied supplies for Austria will pass. DENIAL OF DISSENSION. Dissensions between Britain, America, and Yugoslavia were denied by Marshal Tito in a speech at Zagreb, accordnig to the Yuogslav news agency. Marshal Tito said: "This affair will certainly be solved, but we . will firmly defend our rights." He added that the fact that the Allies had an agreement regarding zones of occupation could not be a reason for preventing Yugoslavia from protecting her enslaved brethren. It is reported from Trieste that Field-Marshal Alexander visited there to inspect the New Zealand troops. General Freyberg was the host at a dinner last night at which several senior Yugoslav officers were guests. The dinner is said to have had no significance, as the invitations were issued a week ago. The correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain at Trieste says .that a new feeling of calm relaxation ■seems to have spread. The Yugoslav patrols in the city have now been greatly reduced in number. There are also fewer young partisans marching through the streets with tommy-guns. The food situation in Trieste continues to cause alarm, but the local authorities published a statement that the Yugoslav Government is sending stocks of UNRRA food to the city.