763.72/12616
The Serbian Legation to the Department of State
Aide Memoire
On the 17th of November, new calendar, Italian troops entered Rieka under the pretext of organizing and keeping order in the town and its suburbs, notwithstanding the fact that nothing had occurred to justify this order. The Commandant of the Italian troops conducted himself as if he were on enemy territory by immediately taking possession of all state buildings, the war fleet, merchant marine, etc.
The Serbian Government and the National Council are grievously surprised by this unfriendly attitude evidenced by the Kingdom of Italy toward one of her allies, particularly, as before this Italian occupation, all the Jugoslavs residing in the territory of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, including the town of Rieka, had proclaimed their independence, avowing their faithful and complete loyalty to the Allies.
The Serbian Government begs to draw the attention of the United States Government to this protest against the trespassing of the Italians on any part of Jugoslavian territory, and to the fact that these events are creating a most depressing effect in the soul of our nation.
Serbia has sacrificed everything in this great war, hoping that on the cessation of hostilities all the dreadful injustice she has endured for centuries would be rectified, and, now, she is obliged to submit to this Italian occupation.
The Serbian Government would further request the United States Government to take into consideration the entire situation, and to employ [Page 326] the most energetical means to influence the Italian Government to change the orders to their troops.
There is nothing to justify these vexatious measures of this Italian administration in the Jugoslav territory where she has usurped absolutely all power; she has forbidden the functions of all autonomous authorities; she has closed all schools, and has taken possession of all steamers, railways and telegraph lines, as a result of which the entire population is bitterly indignant. Italy is making it difficult to feed the people who are already economically drained.
In view of these actual conditions it is most likely that a bitter struggle might arise in many places which could develop into very great consequences.