One cannot therefore be surprised if the Slavs, on the collapse of
Austria, regarded the Italian party, and especially Dr. Salvi, with
some suspicion. Since they had always placed themselves at Austria's
disposal, it would be most natural if they attempted by a _coup d'etat_
to save the Empire. Yet this was the moment when they joined the Slavs
and helped to turn the Austrians out. There was no notion then that the
Italian army would succeed the Austrian; and it was not until Christmas
that this army tried to enter Split. When they proposed to come ashore
they were prevented by the French, Americans and British; thereupon they
threatened to come overland--although the town was not included in the
London Treaty--but again they were prevented. In February, on the
occasion of a conference between the four Admirals, there was a
demonstration against Italy, the commandant of the _Puglia_ being struck
and Admiral Rombo's chief of staff insulted. There was a widespread
feeling of resentment at the way in which the _Puglia_ was, as we have
seen, availing herself of the baser elements in the town for the
furtherance of her propaganda; but what put the match to the bonfire was
the omission of certain Italians in uniform to salute the Serbian
National Anthem. The Admirals held an inquiry, found that "officers
belonging to an Allied nation have been molested." They announced that
they would not tolerate a repetition of such acts, and that inter-Allied
patrols, acting with Serbian troops and the local police force, would
take measures to prevent them. On March 8, however, there was a renewal
of the troubles; and again the Admirals made an inquiry. The Italian
member of the Commission added to his signature that he disapproved of
the findings and that he would present a special report.