NOT ACCEPTABLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25849, 21 May 1945, Page 5

NOT ACCEPTABLE

JUGOSLAV NOTE AMERICA’S POSITION STATED WASHINGTON, -(■Rec. 11.30 p.m.) May 19. -<■ The -Acting Secretary of State, Mr Joseph Grew, told a press conference that the Jugoslav Note on Trieste, reiterating claims to the area, is unacceptable to the United States, as it clashes with the American position published a week ago. Mr Grew indicated that the United States was ranged strongly behind Field-marshal Alexander, who. charged. Marshal Tito with 'attempting to establish territorial claims reminiscent of Hitler and Mussolini.

Mr Grew stressed the serious turn affairs had taken in the disputed region by calling attention to the continued infiltration of Jugoslav partisan troops. .He pointed out that they are assuming

authority which interfered with the Allied commander’s ability to maintain order and establish Allied occupational control.

Mr Grew said that the United States was consulting the other Governments concerned in order that the principles of just and orderly settlements may not be prejudiced. Marshal Tito’s reply to the British Note was received in London to-day, but its contents have not been divulged, and further consultations between London and Washington can be expected before the next step is taken, says the Press Association’s diplomatic correspondent. Count Sforza, who negotiated the Rapello treaty, by which Trieste was ceded to Italy after the last war, sent a message to the British, American, and Russian Government's: “Jugoslav control of Trieste would be a new Alsace-Lorraine, which would poison the world.’’ The American Associated Press correspondent at Allied headquarters in Italy says it is confirmed here that Tito; in July, 1944, and last February agreed ‘ that for military purposes Allied fores; should occupy VeneziaGuilia, including Trieste, while the Jugoslavs should occupy Fiume and the area east of a line running roughly north from Fiume. Allied headquarters revealed that when the detailed written agreement embodying these terms was sent to Belgrade on May 8 Tito rejected it and said: “The understanding is now unreadable on the basis suggested. Recent events have changed the situation. The problem involving Italy and Austria is now a - political one. not military.” Tito . insisted that Jugoslavia had the right to occupy territories she had conquered and did not intend to withdraw from east of the Isonzo River.

Allied headquarters have revealed that Tito had informed the Allied Command that his civil administration would remain in the disputed areas and had advised Field-marshal Alexander’s chief of staff, Lieutenant-gene-ral Morgan, that he would claim further territory west of the Isonzo at the peace conference. Field-marshal Alexander, when informed by Lieutenant-general Morgan, considered further military conversations useless and sent a message to Tito, bluntly advising him that the Allied Command intended to continue using Trieste and would maintain droops in North-Eastern Italy and Austria. He warned Tito that Allied ■headquarters expected him “to take steps to ensure that no regrettable incidents took place.” Field-marshal .Alexander also requested Tito to forbid his troops to cross the Austrian frontier and to withdraw those already across. The request thus far has not been met. „■ ' ■ Colonel Bogumolov, chief of the Russian Military Mission with Tito’s Slovene forces, yesterday visited and conferred with Lieutenant-general Sir Bernard Freyberg.