New-York tribune., 1919-02-28
Juggo-Slavs at
Laibacln Expel
Italian Envoys
Force Mission to Leave The
Town and Rome Closes
Bord er i'm Retaliation
Mobilizing a Big Army
All Train Traffic Is Halted
and Southern Turope's 8
Food Supply Is Stopped

PARIS, Feb. 27-A telegram from
Rome given out by the Italian delega-
tion to the peace conference, says that
on February 20 the ugo-Slav command
at Laibach suddenly announced the ex-
pulsion of the whole Italian mission
stationed there, in accordance with the
termsof the armisticc, to regulate
movements of trains provisioning
Czecho- Slovakia and Jugo-Slava
The Jugo-Slav command, it is said,
gave as a reason for its action that,
as Jugo-Slavia has been recognized
by the Allies, Laibach no longer
should be considered part of the
former Austro Hungarian empire. In
spite of their protests, all the Italian
officers had to leave the city The
telegram continues:
"In the face Of such grave offence,
the Italian governments which has
never recognized Jugo-Slavia, which,
incidentally, has never been Recognized
by any Of the great powers, decided to
close the frontier, not wishing to have
recourse without further delay to mil
itary occupation permitted by the ar
mistice. At the same time it has taken
the necessary measures to provision
Czecho-S -Slovakia by routes not pass
ing through Laibacll."
Allied Enjoys Not Held Up
The statement denies a report that
an inter-Allied commission sent by
the Entente Powers to negotiate be
tween Italy and Jugo-S Slavia has been
held up at the frontier.
The Jugos Slav delegation to the
peace conference has presented to the
conference their territorial claims,
Italy, through Foreign Minister Son
nino, having officially notified the con-
ference that she cannot adhere to the
Jugo-Slav proposal to submit the de-
limitation ef the frontier between the
two countries to the arbitration of
President Wilson. Italy contends the
claims must be settled by the peace
conference The Jugo- Slavs asked that
the lsonzo River be made the bound
airy between them and Italy.
The Jugo- Slav claims involve the
annexation by the Jugo-S Slavs of the
whole of Styria, with Trieste and
t1ume, and the whole of the Dalmatisn
Islands, with the exception of Pcla-
gosa, which is left to Italy.
Jugo-Slavs Mobilize
According to reports received at the
headquarters Of the Italian peace dele
cations, the Jugo-Slavs have ordered
a general mobilization, which has in
terrupted transportation between Italy
and Jugo SlaVia and the @toppage Of
food supplies destined for southeast
ern Europe
In view of the situation, it is an
nounced, Italy has suspended the re-
turn Of JugoSlav prisoners captured
from the Austrian army. Italyi how
ever, continues to return Czecho- Slo-
yak Polish and Rumanian soldiers
fully armed
On representations made by the
Allies and the United States, it is un-
derstood that Italy has consented to
nit the embargo to permit the passage
OF 1ood supplies to southeastern Eu-
rope.
Italy Standing Firm
Shortly after it became known that
the Italian Jugo-Slav controversy had
reached an apparent impass6, LONG
statement WAS issued at Italian head
quarters outlining ltaly's insistence
upon what she styles her lust part of
the victory" The document rccites
the hlstorlc, geographic, ethnographic,
economic and military arguments
which have previously been made in
this connection.
Italy, the document says, as facing
tins problem of her destiny with a
iirmness which is enlightened as we'll
as reSOlutp'
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor. presided
over two meetings of the Labor Com
mission of the peace conference to-day.
the official communication saws. The
discussion of the modification of the
constitution Of an international labor
organization was completed. 1t was
decided that the first meeting of the
international Labor Conference should
be held in October, 1919
Inc Official communication dealing
with to-day's session Of the peace con-
ference issued this evening, says:
"a meeting of the ministers and
representatives of the Allied and
assolated powers was held to-day at
the Quai d'Orsay. 1t began at 3
p. m. and lasted until $3.50 D. m. NJ.
ASSOCIATION powers was held TODAY at
Clemenceau came to M. Pichon's room
IN order to resume work with the
delegates to the conference.
On motion by the American dele
gates 1T was decided to organize n
central commission for territorial
questions.
"Afterward the Zionist case was
presented by DR.. Weizmann and M.