The Italians' stay at Kotor was drawing to an end. "We have no
aggressive intentions," said Signor Scialoja, the Foreign Minister, "and
we shall be glad if we are able to establish with our neighbours on the
other side of the Adriatic those amicable relations"--and so forth and
so forth. This he said on December 21, but if the Government was imbued
with the same principles in August it is unfortunate that it omitted to
instruct the responsible officers in Dalmatia. The Yugoslav commander,
Lieut.-Colonel Risti['c], heard one night that the Italian General at
Dobrota was harbouring at his residence no less than twenty-one
Montenegrin pro-Nikita komitadjis. They were clad in Italian uniforms,
and, as a torpedo-boat and a motor-launch were always kept with steam
up, could be shipped off at a moment's notice to Italy. Colonel
Risti['c] sent his adjutant to make inquiries, and the Italians gave
their word of honour that no Montenegrins were in the house. In order to
avoid a conflict Colonel Risti['c] then requested the French General to
send an officer; but this gentleman was not received by the Italians.
Four or five Montenegrins, with an Italian lieutenant, came out of the
house and fired at the twenty gendarmes who now encircled it. The fire
was returned--all the Montenegrins and the Italian were killed. After
this the French police disarmed the remaining Montenegrins and
imprisoned them; and on the following day, much to his chagrin, the
Italian General was told to take up other quarters at Mula, so that he
was separated by the French and the Yugoslavs from Montenegrin
territory.... Not long after this a certain Captain Mileti['c] was
cycling late one afternoon on the road to Mula. Five or six Italian
soldiers lay concealed, and so expertly did they murder him that his
friends who were cycling a hundred paces ahead and other friends who
were fishing very near the spot in a boat heard nothing whatsoever. It
was eight days after this when the Italians had to go from Kotor and the
neighbourhood.