763.72/12356: Telegram
The Ambassador in Italy ( Page ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:05 p.m.]
2405. Situation in Eastern Adriatic reported somewhat ameliorated. [Admiral] Bullard, now Rome, has acted with discretion and apparent success. Both he, naval attaché who was recently there, have same views with mine that situation inherently difficult was rendered more so by the Jugo-Slav organizations, till now strong Austro-Hungarian supporters, being supported quietly by the French naval people which the Italians resent. The French Admiral at Corfu received on his flagship and gave a private dinner to the first Jugo-Slav committee which came from the Istria-Dalmatia region immediately after armistice and drank [to] Jugo-Slav state.
The French attitude has apparently suddenly changed and I learn that the French Admiral has been instructed in the last three days to act sympathetically with the Italians. The French Ambassador here also begins to talk in a different tone about the Jugo-Slav demands recognizing that there must be a certain give and take policy adopted. I also hear on good authority that Sonnino has stated that in Paris recently he found that those whom he supposed most against Italy, viz, the French, were sympathetic while those he had supposed sympathetic, viz, the British and Americans, were against him. This possibly signifies some new orientation on the part of the French. The King of Italy has, according to the press, arrived in Paris which may be connected with this.
[Page 316]One questionable policy I encounter is that no information is sent to me here as to our policy while instructions as to political policy are being sent directly to our Naval Commander in the Adriatic from our Naval Commander at Paris. Fortunately my knowledge of the policy of our Government has enabled me to act along the same lines.