The Washington times., 1919-09-28
DANIELS EXPLAINS
TRAU INTERVENTION


confirmed the report that American
forces had been landed on the Dali
matian coast OF the Adriatic TO take
hand in the troubles caused by
D'AnnunziO's capture OF F'iume. This
confirmation was made in the follow
ing official statement: -.--
"On September % a number Of
Italians surprised and captured Trau'
a DaImatian port in the zone assigned
by the supreme council to be policed
by the Americans. A small landing
force from the U. s. $. Olympia sue
ceeded in recovering the town ana
preserving order there without blood
shed. Serbians were persuaded By
Admiral Andrews, in command Of the
Olympia, his flagship, from taking
action"
The Italians referred to in the
statement are presumed TO be irFegu-
lar troops which are adherents Of
D'AnnunZiO. The statement is a para
phrase OF the answer to. Secretary
Daniels from Admirals Knapp and
Andrews giving the facts concerning
the landing Of American marines at
Trau. The statement was not given.
out until the Navy Department had
conferred with the State Department.
It was explained yesterday at
the Navy Department that Ad
miraI Andrews acted at the re-
quest OF the supreme war COUP
Gil which, includes a representa-
tive OF the italian government.
when the italian "irreEulars" sur
prised Trau, Admiral Andrews noti-
fed Admiral Knapp. the American
adviser to the supreme war council.
The council Immediately decided that
forces should be landed, and Admiral
Andrews was so instructed.
From the fact that no bloodshed
ensued, Il is inferred here that Ad-
miral Andrews conferred at once
with the Serbian commander whose
troops were about to attack and at
tempt to retake Trau from Dan
nunzio's followers. II was not dis
closed here what kind OF persuasion
was used on the Serbs, but IL is sur
missed that Admiral Andrews told
the opposing f6ctions that Trau
was under his protection and that
he would retake IL from either side
that captured It.
no one in official circles who dis
cussed the episode would venture to
explain why the status quo had 70
be preserved in TFau while the same
stand was not taken with regard to
Fiums, which is still held by Dan
nunzio.
Explains Allies Positions.
Pointing to the map, Secretary
Of the Navy Daniels said that
to the United States navy has been
assigned that part Of the eastern
Adriatic coast extending from Fort
PIanta to Giupanni. This includes the
important city Of Spalato. The Brit
ish and Italians are policing the
shore northwest Of Fort Planta. This
taking care Of the coast from Giu-
panni southeastward.
The significance OF this official
statement is that it clarifies for
the hrst time the whole situation
respecting the functions OF the Ameri-
can navy under the Supreme War
Council It Is plain that no action
was taken by Admiral, Andrews re-
garding Trau until the council was
consulted.
Navy officers say that this use Of
the navy will continue as long as
there are no orders from the Ameri-
can Government taking the feet out
OF the area OF conflict between the
italian irregulars and the Jugo-
Slavs.
Forecasts FiUme Decision.
A decision in the Fiume situation
brought on by the expedition OF Ca
briele D'Annunzio and his troops who
are holding the city is foreseen this
week by officials here.
The decision may either be the
downfall Of the Italian government
and possibly a revolt throughout the
country, or il may be the downfall Of
the soldier poet, who, according to
reports here, has the Italian people
sOlidly behind him.
A possibility is that the peace con-
ference will take action which will
satisfy Italian territorial aspirations
and still leave the port of Fiume open
to the Jugo-Slavs.
Officials believe that the situation
confronting the Italian government
Is of the most serious character.
While the nature of reports received
by the State Department has not
been made public, it is known that
officials regard the danger as grow