A public meeting held at Rome March 14, 1918, was addressed by Professor
Salvemini, a distinguished historian, who advocated the policy of
Mazzini that the Italians should ally themselves with the Balkan peoples
in order to free them from Austrian and Turkish domination. The speaker
opposed the teaching of Cesare Balbo, who advocated a free hand for
Austria in the Balkans in return for the cession of the Italian
provinces. The leading Serbians and numerous influential Jugo-Slav
exiles from Austria-Hungary have indorsed Professor Salvemini's
proposition, and a number of Italian Deputies and publicists have joined
the movement.
A conference under the auspices of the Serbian Society of Great Britain
was held in London March 13, 1918, which was attended by the Executive
Committees of the British-Italian League, the Anglo-Hellenic Society,
and the Anglo-Rumanian Society. The following resolutions were
unanimously passed:
1. This conference learns with gratification of the present
understanding between representative Italians and the
Jugo-Slavs, convinced as it is that it is in the vital interest
of both races that they should unite on the basis, as far as
practicable, of the principle of self-determination and in a
spirit of mutual toleration and friendliness as allies against
German and Austro-Magyar military domination.
2. The conference confidently hopes that such an understanding
will not weaken but strengthen the bonds of alliance which exist
between Serbia and Greece, and that it will be followed by a
similar amicable settlement of all outstanding questions between
Italy and Greece, so that the Eastern Mediterranean may present
a solid bulwark against the German Drang nach Osten.
3. The conference sends fraternal greetings to Rumania and
assures the Rumanian people that, whatever terms Rumania is
forced to accept from the enemy by the cruel exigencies of the
war, the British people will not cease to regard her as an ally
in spirit, and will not cease to strive for the attainment of
her national unity as one of the essential factors of a lasting
peace.
A convention of Bohemians, Slavs, Jugo-Slavs, Rumanians, Serbians,
Italians, and Poles met at Rome on April 10 under the Presidency of
former Senator Ruffini, with prominent Italians and Frenchmen present,
among them former Ministers Martini, Barzilai, Franklin, Bouillon, and
Albert Thomas. Dr. Trumbitch, President of the Jugo-Slav Committee in
Great Britain, also attended. It was the first assemblage of
representatives of the nationalities that are opposed to Austrian
dominion. The Mayor of Rome was a participant. The Italian and Polish
representatives for the first time gave their adhesion to the Jugo-Slav
aspiration. The following declaration was adopted:
1. Every people proclaims it to be its right to determine its
own nationality and national unity and complete independence.
2. Every people knows that the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy is an
instrument of German domination and a fundamental obstacle to
the realization of its rights to free development and
self-government.
3. The Congress recognizes the necessity of fighting against the
common oppressors.
The representatives of the Jugo-Slavs agree:
That the unity and independence of the Jugo-Slav Nation is
considered of vital importance by Italy.
That the deliverance of the Adriatic Sea and its defense from
any enemy is of capital interest to the two peoples.
That territorial controversies will be amicably settled on the
principle of nationality and in such a manner as not to injure
the vital interests of the two nations; interests which will be
taken into account at the peace conferences.
The Polish delegates added their declaration that they consider Germany
as the principal enemy of Poland, and that they believe that the
disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is the only way through
which they can obtain their independence from Germany.