860S.00/10–1148: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser (Joyce), at Trieste, to the Secretary of State
661. There follows report on highlights present political situation US–UK zone FTT:
1. CP of FTT
Split in Communist Party now formal and complete clown to cell levels with mass organizations cleanly divided into factions supporting either Yugoslav CP or Cominform. Cold, and sometimes hot, warfare continuing with increasing bitterness between two factions. Pro-Yugoslav CP group led by Babic accuses pro-Cominform group led by Vidali of sole responsibility for breaking up unity of democratic masses in Trieste, of using gangster and terroristic methods, and of secretly preparing ground for return of Trieste to Italy. Pro-Yugoslav group insists Tito and Yugoslav CP are possessors of only authentic holy tablets handed down by Marx and Lenin and represent true internationalists while pro-Cominformists are steeped in sin of nationalism although they mumble empty and outmoded phrases of specious internationalism and do not understand true meaning of Communist writ. Pro-Cominformists adopt Moscow line without question and accuse Babic group of every cardinal sin in Cominformist Decalogue. Only common ground between both factions is solidarity in attacking imperialist war-mongering countries of West led by US and in continuing efforts to undermine AMG.
Pro-Cominform group has gained virtual ascendancy in city of Trieste and now controls majority of membership of mass organizations. Vidali group has shown its strength by successfully gaining control of Slovene Liberation Front previously closely tied to Yugoslavia and Tito and few days ago in outlying village of completely Slovene population, Cominformists were able to stage demonstration where only pictures of Stalin, Zujovic and Hebrang were shown. Pro-Cominformists are busily engaged in purging pro-Yugoslav members from party apparatus down to cell level and 14-point directive circulated to group political secretaries stresses necessity for party renovation and cleansing of all Trotskyite (pro-Yugoslav) elements Cominformist organ Laroratore now receiving money from Rome and no longer in financial difficulties but its issue is only half of what it was before split.
Pro-Yugoslav faction has succeeded in obtaining title to party funds and real estate which it controlled anyway before split. Babic group busily engaged in organizing new cells among Slovene workmen in [Page 544] heavy industries and still controls cells in most outlying Slovene villages. Both factions are engaging in energetic educational and indoctrination campaign among their respective adherents.
In general Communism in Trieste received very serious blow as result Cominform resolution and former militancy no longer apparent. Cell and group meetings are sparsely attended and demonstrations by mass organizations are apathetic. Both factions are licking wounds and preparing for comeback with Babic group concentrating on Slav racial element in support Yugoslav nationalism, while Vidali group, although without adequate funds, is feeling cosily secure and self-righteous in arms of Moscow and in good standing within brotherhood of other CP’s.
2. Sindicati Unici
In Cominformist cell and group meetings political secretaries state strike weapon was misused under previous Babic leadership with result that masses are tired and oppose strikes. “We must re-educate masses all over again and make them understand strikes are most telling weapon in fighting capitalism and imperialism; we must be ready to use this powerful weapon again and have full support of the masses.” Cominformist leadership devoting particular attention Sindicati Unici. Pro-Yugoslav elements being ruthlessly eliminated and leadership is being reshuffled and improved. SU leaders state rising prices provide golden opportunity to rally masses and party workers are being instructed to agitate and prepare masses for general strike. SU is making concerted effort to regain from non-Communist Camera del Lavoro undisputed leadership of trade union movement. SU leaders are speaking in terms of sweet reasonableness and endeavoring persuade Camera leaders to cooperate “for the welfare of workers and small business owners”. Camera leadership wary of Communist infiltration, but feel if they stand aside in price wage battles, SU may capture leadership on this basic economic issue.
3. Italian nationalist activities
Lega Nazionale prestige has been recently undermined by revelation that certain key officers have misappropriated and stolen Lega funds. There is bickering with resulting weakness in pro-Italian front between Left and Right wing non-Communist parties. Christian Democrats have obtained firm hold on local administration, but leadership is weak and vacillating. In general Italian irredentist activity has considerably cooled off except in the press.
4. Italian versus Slat: nationalism
For past month bitter controversy has raged in press over question of Slovene language schools in this zone. Basic issue is racial and nationalistic [Page 545] with Italians endeavoring to control education and reduce to minimum Slovene-language schools and culture and Slovene element led by Primorski Nevnik and supported by SDU endeavoring to maintain Yugoslav foothold and Slovene language particularly in educational field. Extreme Italian nationalist press consider Slovene schools as fungus growths of an alien and inferior civilization on holy soil of motherland, poisoning minds of children with pan-Slavic doctrine and hatred of Italy, et cetera. Yugoslav organizations and pro-Yugoslav press state Italian chauvinism, particularly in field of education, now more exaggerated than in the days of Fascism.
Slovenes of all political persuasions are united on this issue of fighting Italian chauvinism. AMG as trusteeship administration applying Italian law, financed by Italian Treasury, governing with local Italian officials in accordance with Italian pattern and in spirit of tripartite proposal of March 20 finds it most difficult to control Italian nationalism and discrimination against Slovenes whose claims are exaggerated, and in turn inspired by Yugoslav determination to retain and if possible increase Slav influence in this area. Although permanent statute not in effect in Italy, AMG endeavor to protect basic freedoms among conflicting and bitterly opposed racial and politically hostile groups is being accused by Italian nationalists of catering to and encouraging Slavs, and by Slavs of permitting Italian nationalists to run wild in their efforts to Italianize Trieste against terms and spirit of Trieste treaty settlement. We believe we are giving Slovenes fair deal on school issue and AMG permits Slovene Communes full local autonomy with Slovene mayors, but the Yugoslavs are interested in city of Trieste where Italians have overwhelming majority, own almost all property, and will not give an inch to Slovenes in their efforts to increase their political, economic and psychological foothold.
5. Local elections
Communists of both factions are insisting preparation of electoral rolls and development electoral machinery should not be left in Trieste to Italian nationalist local officials, but that “peoples representatives” should participate to prevent discrimination in favor of Italian chauvinists. Pro-Italian political parties lukewarm about communal elections as some will be revealed as having minute popular support. Christian Democrats will probably receive plurality but will have to share their present virtual political monopoly with other groups including Communists.
6. Yugoslav Zone FTT
Yugoslav Military Government is progressively integrating Yugoslav zone into Yugoslav Communist state and all opposition to Tito is ruthlessly suppressed including particularly pro-Cominform elements. [Page 546] It appears Yugoslav policy is completely to absorb Istria and destroy non-Communist Italian character of zone looking forward to some settlement in which US–UK zone only will return to Italy. Italians here still fear Washington and particularly London will compromise March 20 proposal and permit Tito to retain Yugoslav zone. There is no doubt that real terror regime exists in Yugoslav zone and Italians dispossessed and brutalized refugees flow into Trieste daily.
7. Conclusion
Population US–UK zone increasingly aware their own political efforts can not decide nor perhaps even greatly influence eventual solution but that Trieste issue inextricably bound up with over-all East-West struggle. There is increasingly less local political ferment but increasing absorption in economic affairs with hope that ERP aid and help from Italy will provide more jobs and security. Population has eyes fixed on Berlin situation and on Assembly meeting in Paris.
Sent Department 661, repeated Borne 224, London 79, Paris for USUN 112, pouched to Belgrade.
Department pass Moscow as 21.