Tasker Howard Bliss to Henry P. McCain
Title
Tasker Howard Bliss to Henry P. McCain
Creator
Bliss, Tasker Howard, 1853-1930
Identifier
WWP25544
Date
1918 November 26
Description
Italians are seeking to maintain control of Fiume.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
World War, 1914-1918--Italy
Contributor
Maria Matlock
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
BFS
Full copy of Cablegram received at the War Department November 26th, 1918, 10:44 P.M.
33 CB Versailles
The Adjunct General,
Washington.
Urgent. Number 287. November 26th. Confidential. For the Secretary of War and Chief of Staff.
Admiral Benson handed me today two dispatches received by him yesterday from Rear Admiral Bullard the American Naval representative in the Adriatic Sea. First dispatch follows: “Have received report that Italian authorities have ordered two companies American troops to Cettige. This does not seem provided for in the armistice. Army officials apparently have not proper instructions and are dominated by Italians. Italian troops formerly sent there were ordered back by Servians. It is possible there may be clashes if terms of armistice are not rigidly followed.”
Second dispatch follows: “Confidential report my representative Fiume indicates Italian authorities have gone much further than necessary preserving life and property or that demanded by the terms of armistice and Fiume has appearance permanent Italian occupation. It is my judgment that unless Fiume can be placed under real allied control it will be difficult to preserve peace and order. It appears American troops are being used to promote rather than curb Italian activities and our army representative probably has not definite instructions. French support proposition of making Fiume base for French evacuating troops operating Servia which further reason why Fiume should be under allied control and not simply Italian.”
It seems to me that there is danger, at this juncture, in leaving small American detachments remote from the control of the American supreme command.
Bliss
Full copy of Cablegram received at the War Department November 26th, 1918, 10:44 P.M.
33 CB Versailles
The Adjunct General,
Washington.
Urgent. Number 287. November 26th. Confidential. For the Secretary of War and Chief of Staff.
Admiral Benson handed me today two dispatches received by him yesterday from Rear Admiral Bullard the American Naval representative in the Adriatic Sea. First dispatch follows: “Have received report that Italian authorities have ordered two companies American troops to Cettige. This does not seem provided for in the armistice. Army officials apparently have not proper instructions and are dominated by Italians. Italian troops formerly sent there were ordered back by Servians. It is possible there may be clashes if terms of armistice are not rigidly followed.”
Second dispatch follows: “Confidential report my representative Fiume indicates Italian authorities have gone much further than necessary preserving life and property or that demanded by the terms of armistice and Fiume has appearance permanent Italian occupation. It is my judgment that unless Fiume can be placed under real allied control it will be difficult to preserve peace and order. It appears American troops are being used to promote rather than curb Italian activities and our army representative probably has not definite instructions. French support proposition of making Fiume base for French evacuating troops operating Servia which further reason why Fiume should be under allied control and not simply Italian.”
It seems to me that there is danger, at this juncture, in leaving small American detachments remote from the control of the American supreme command.
Bliss
Original Format
Letter
To
McCain, H. P. (Henry Pinckney), 1861-1941
Files
Collection
Citation
Bliss, Tasker Howard, 1853-1930, “Tasker Howard Bliss to Henry P. McCain,” 1918 November 26, WWP25544, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.