POSSESSION OF TRIESTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 May 1945, Page 5

POSSESSION OF TRIESTE

TITO S CLAIM OPPOSED

ANGLO-U.S.A. ACTION

LONDON, May 12. Field-Marshal Alexander conferred with Dr. Bonomi, Prime Minister of Italy, concerning the occupation of Trieste, says the Rome correspondent of the British United Press. Dr. Bonomi presumably appealed for outright Allied occupation. The Exchange Telegraph Agency s Rome correspondent says that, news from Trieste and the surrounding territory is daily more alarming, with reports of wholesale arrests and deportations of Italians by Jugoslav forces. It is impossible to check the rumours because of the Slovene language. Jugoslavs continue to enter the territory with armoured cars and artillery, with which they are occupying all strategic points. A Russian military mission has arrived m Trieste. _ T » The corrrespondent says: No Italians are seen in the streets. The shops are closed and the food situation is deteriorating; Jugoslavs shot many Italians for displaying the Italian flag, which is permissible only if it carries a red star instead of the royal arms. . The Archbishop of Goritzia (Carlo Margotti), who was arrested by Jugoslavs, has been released and has arrived in Rome, says the # Rome: correspondent of the Associated Press. The French News Agency reports that Italian partisans have executed the Bishop of Mantua because of his political attitude under Fascist rule.

AGREEMENT REACHED.

(Rec. noon) LONDON, May 1-3. Allied soldiers will remain ai Trieste to operate the port, and Jugoslav forces will remain in occupation of the major part of the city. These, the Associated Press Belgrade correspondent, are apparently the main points of the agreement between Tito and an emissary from Alexander’s headquarters in the discussions following the Jugoslav Governments demand for the withdrawal of the British and American forces which occupied the port part of’the city. The Allied Command insisted on remaining in possession of the port for supplying the occupation forces m Austria.

U.S.A. FIRM. STAND.

“MUST AWAIT CONFERENCE.”

(Rec. 10.20 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 13

The United States to-day took a firm stand against Tito’s demand that the Allied forces withdraw from Trieste, reports the “Herald-Tri-bune’s” Washington correspondent. The Acting-Secretary of State (Mr. Grew) issued a statement: “One of the most difficult problems to be solved will be the just, equitable solution of the territorial questions, which for many years plagued Europe. The Allie? have been officially informed it is the United States’ firm, policy that territorial changes should be made only after a thorough study and after full consultation and deliberation between the various Governments concerned. Only on this basis can adequate consideration be given to the human, economic and political elements involved, and a just, stable solution found. There are 30 or more territorial questions in Europe requiring careful study before decisions can be reached, including the much disputed north-eastern frontiers of Italy. Many months ago, it was decided the best way to avoid hasty, precarious solutions in the British-American theatre of operations was to establish' an Allied Military Government. Apart from the fact that this is a British-American theatre and Bri-tish-American troops forced the surrender of the German garrison at. Trieste, the disputed areas are temporarily of prime importance from the military point of view. Since the Allied 'occupation forces require an administration zone with adequate port facilities, lines of communication and supply leading to Central Europe, it was deemed particularly essential to establish Allied control. Proposals regarding this were presented to and accepted by Tito last February. Notwithstanding this agreement, claims have now been advanced that by virtue of conquest the Jugoslav forces are entitled forthwith to occupy and control the administration of this region. This Government reiterates its view that disinterested military government is essential in Venezia Giulia, in order not to prejudice through sudden unilateral action taken in the (lush of victory, ’the final solution corresponding to the problems and principles involved. The present problem is far more than a frontier controversy between two claimants. It raises the issue of the settlement of international disputes by orderly processes rather than unilateral action. The disposition of Venezia Guilia must await a definite peace settlement in which the claims of both sides will receive a full, fair hearing, or be macle a matter for direct negotiations freely entered into between the parties involved. No territorial problem can be solved by proclamations issued in the wake of an army on the march.”

GREECE AND CYPRUS

LONDON, May 13.

Archbishop Damaskinos immediately after the liberation of Greece cabled Mr. Churchill asking for the immediate restoration of the Dodecanese Island to Greece. To this Mr. Churchill agreed, says an Exchange Telegraph correspondent. An Associated Press correspondent at Athens stated: News of the liberation of the Dodecanese and of Regent Damaskino’s visit to Rhodes caused jubilation in Athens, where events are interpreted as the first steps toward the union of Greece. It is officially announced that Greeks have landed on Rhodes, Kos and Leros Islands, and are disarming the Germans. Reuter’s Cyprus correspondent says: Police yesterday searched the premises of trade unions and workers’ parties in all towns and many villages. An official communique says: “A quantity of literature suspected of being of a seditious nature was seized and removed for' examination.”