YUGOSLAV CLAIMS

Grey River Argus, 19 September 1945, Page 5

YUGOSLAV CLAIMS

ITALIAN TERRITORIES Ports of Trieste, Fiume, Zara and Pola s BIG FIVE HEAR CASE STATED LONDON, Sept 17. The Council of Big Five Foreign Ministers, at which Mr Bevin (Britain) presided, head the Vice-Premier of Yugoslavia. M. Kardelj, express the views of his Government on the question of Julianmarch and other Yugoslav territorities occupied by Italy. The Yugoslav Government, in a memorandum, declared that Julianmarch was geographically and ethnographically a constituent part of Yuogsalvia. It was mainly occupied by Slovenes and Croats for 13 centuries. The Italian minority ' lived exclusively in a number of towns where they represented “isolated islands” on basic Yugoslav national soil. The memorandum argued that Trieste, Julianmarch and the rest of Yugoslavia were indissolubly linked. Trieste for Yugoslavia represented the most important port for trade. It held no such importance for Italy. The only rational and just solution was that Julianmarch in its entirety should be united with Yugoslavia. A diplomatic correspondent of “The Times” stated: Yugoslav ethnic (racial) claims are almost certain to be accepted. (The Big Five Allied Governments may be expected to draw a new frontier well to the west of the old Wilson Line. That is they will give Yugoslavia more of Julianmarch than the Wilson Line proposed to give. But there remains Trieste,’ doubly difficult because its population is largely Italian, and- because it is a port of wide international concern, serving a large part of Centra] Europe. “The Times” diplomatic correspondent recalls that for nearly two centuries before 1891, prior to the development of railways, Trieste was a free port. He adds: “There seems all the more reason now for it to become a free port again. It would be odd if the statesmen who are striving to open Europe’s waterways in the endeavour to free communications and trade, should neglect to ensure the opening under international guarantees of the gateway into Central Europe. “The proposal will almost certainly be strongly advocated in the Council,” he continues. “Nominal sovereignty over the port, once the proposal is carried, would become a minor matter. International guarantees and requirements would be decisive. But it is widely thought, certainly in the west, that as the port is largely Italian, sovereignty should remain Italian. Such a solution would seem to offer the best chances of fair and lasting settlement. Yugoslavia would get the areas which are indisputably Yugoslav and would enjoy the fullest use of the port without absorbing the large Italian community. A settlement, will probably not be reached without much argument.” It is thought likely that two or three meetings will be required to hear the discussions on this frontier problem. Thereafter the Foreign Ministers will probably refer it to a committee of their deputies to prepare detailed recommendations, as they have already done with the question of the disposition of the former Italian colonies. The deputies will submit recommendations on these colonies two weeks before the date to be agreed later of the second session of the Council.

The broad shape of a peace treaty with Italy is expected to be sketched at to-day’s meeting. A large portion of the deliberations are being devoted to the opinions of the Dominion, Italian and Yugoslav representatives as to where the Italian-Yugoslav frontier shall be fixed. The Yugoslav Government has not withdrawn claims that it sought to enforce when Tito’s forces occupied Trieste, while in recent declarations Yugoslav Ministers demanded the whole ot Venezia Giulia, including Trieste, Tola, Fiume and Zara.’ It is the opinion that certain of the Yugoslav demands are likely to receive on all sides the most sympathetic consideration. The claim on Trieste is known to find little support among the British, American end French delegations. SOVIET ATTITUDE. Only Russia has supported _ the Yugoslav demands regarding Trieste. It remains to be seen whether Mr Molotov will consider it a claim to be stressed to the end.. Recent incidents which have given added interest to the Council’s deliberations are the Russian demand for 50 per cent, of Austria oil which was made to the Renner Government without any prior notice or consultation with the other Powers concerncd. ■ There were also Russian Press attacks against Britain and America on the eve of the London meeting, for their alleged interference in Bulgaria and Rumania; and the charges in “Red Star” that General de Gaulle’s recent remarks in an interview with “The Times” were the result of British machinations designed to resurrect the idea of an anti-Soviet bloc in Western Europe. The fact that London, is the Big Five meeting place is being accepted in a matter-of-fact manner by the public, who thus far have been equally curious about the Russians reasons for an abnormal bodyguard provided for M. Molotov, who seems to be regarded as something in the nature of a queen bee, as they, have been about the outcome of deliberations. , , All the visiting Ministers have been entertained separately by Mr Attlee at Chequers, including a recent arrival Dr T. V. Soong. Mr Bevin was present on all occasions. He is reported to have impressed all . delegates to the conference, in which he is considered a hard and bold baigainer who knows how to drive home arguments. FURTHER TASKS It is stated the Big Five Council honns to do most of its work this week. After the Italian treaty it is expected that other subjects will be: The regimes of ex-enemy Balkan countries; proposal for opening the main European waterways for inteinational use; and if the strong French desire prevails, the Potsdam scheme for reparations from Germ Commentators indicate that, thus far, the work of the Council has progressed, if not altogether smooth y, at least with enough absence of friction so as not seriously to overheat the machinery. The beginnings of the discussions were delayed owing to faultv preparations it is reported. When the Foreign Ministers assembled it was discovered a mass ot documents and memoranda remained to be translated and studied by the delegates, who were seeing them for, the first time. In view of the tact that the Potsdam Conference had indicated the general lines to be followed at the London meeting, there has been considerable surprise and. even annoyance that the first days of the meetings should thus have been needlessly wasted. More time h °^, evei ; was given to the establishment of the secretariat which will have its hnndouarters in London and give con inuity to the Foreign Ministers Council. This secretariat will be Sensible in future not only for

preparing the ground work, but ensuring the right approach to the agenda. Mr Bevin and Mr Bidault (France) started exploratory negotiations for a British-French alliance. Thev began conversations wheih are being carried on by the Ambassadors, Mr Duff Cooper and M. Massigli. WHAT YUGOSLAVS ASK. (Rec. 9.10). LONDON, September 18. The territory of Julian March, mentioned earlier as having been demanded from Italy by Yugoslavia, is identical with the department of Northern Italy hitherto known as Venezia Giulia, which has a population of more than three-quarters of a million