740.00119 Control (Italy)/5–545: Telegram
Mr. Alexander C. Kirk, Political Adviser to the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater, to the Secretary of State
[Received May 5—4:30 p.m.]
1951. Reour 1906, May 3, 6 p.m.18 Tito’s personal reply to Field Marshal Alexander which has just been received expressed surprise [Page 1141] at SAC’s readiness to doubt Tito’s respect of Belgrade agreement. Tito declared that in addition to being bound by military responsibilities as CinC he is also responsible as Prime Minister to take care of interests of his country; and that his message of May 2 underlined his given word, namely that SAC might use ports of Trieste and Pola and line of communications towards Austria for supplying Allied troops.
Tito’s message continued that situation has changed for following reasons: Yugoslav troops have advanced quickly to line Fiume–Postumia and expected Allied landings in Trieste did not take place. Because of SAC’s truce with Germans in Italy Yugo troops were put into difficult position as Germans reinforced their southeastern front. Therefore Tito ordered occupation of communication lines leading toward Fiume from Postumia and Trieste and attack on city of Trieste, both successful operations. When Germans capitulated in Italy Tito stated he ordered town of Monfalcone occupied and line of Isonzo river held in order to protect operations in Trieste itself and prevent Germans from bringing reinforcements from Italian front. He added that due to German armistice SAC will not now have to operate against Tyrol, Carinthia and Styria but only occupy these territories, a fact not foreseen during Belgrade conversations in February.
He stated that Yugoslav occupation of territories in question has not only a military character but also political one. Yugo’s interest in these territories is not only as a victory on side of Allies in war against Italy but also because these areas were unjustly annexed by Italy as the result of a former peace treaty.19 Tito considers a great injustice is done his martyred country when only her duties and not her rights as an Allied nation at war are recognized. Tito pointed out the awkward position brought about by Italian and Allied press discussions of this territory before this misunderstanding and especially after the “occupation of Trieste by Yugo troops.” Wildest rumors are being spread and Yugo army which has shed so much blood for Allied cause is being insulted.
Tito protested against an incident at Gorizia when British tanks allegedly protected Italian Fascist demonstrators and prevented intervention of Tito’s authorities.
In conclusion Tito expressed thanks for SAC’s fulfillment of his promise of war materials and belief that the misunderstanding can be cleared at a meeting of their respective Chiefs of Staff at Trieste. Tito’s message ended with the statement that the Port of Trieste is [Page 1142] at SAC’s disposal and Yugo troops have been ordered to hold whole of occupied territory and not to impede in any way Allied troops on their way to Austria along the L of C foreseen by the Tito–Alexander agreement.
- Not printed.↩
- See articles 27, 36, and 48 of Treaty of Peace between the Allied and Associated Powers and Austria, signed at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, September 10, 1919, Treaties, Conventions, etc., Between the United States of America and Other Powers, 1910–1923 (Washington, Government Printing Office, 1923), vol. iii, pp. 3163, 3168, and 3171, respectively.↩