Evening star., 1946-09-17
Trieste Threat
To yugos|avia-
Seen al Paris
BeIerode's Spokesman
Says West Seeks to
Make City Brideeheod
by the Assoeioted Pres,

by me Associated Press
PARIS, Sept. 17.-Ales Bebler
Yugoslav spokesman, accused the
Western powers today of seeking
to establish a bridgehead in the
free city of Trieste for future
military action against Yugo-
slavia.
Opening the Slavic blocs attack
on the proposed boundaries of the
free territory, Mr.. Bebler told a
Peace Conference commission the
only reason these were expanded be-
yond the Trieste city limits was to
ALLOW space for the deployment of
armed forces"
Governors Powers Cited.
Mr.. Bebler referred to the Gov
ernor's powers in the free state as
envisaged by Western nations, and
said they could be explained only by
considerations of power politics.
He can even cali in foreign
troops" said Mr.. Bebler. But
against whom? The object of their
action is never named but is always
implied-Yugoslavia"
Mr.. Bebler spoke as statesmen
lined up once again in the Italian
Political and Territorial Commits
sion on opposing sides Of the Trieste
issue-this time in connection with
the frontiers of the projected free
area.
Mr.. Bebler urged the adoption of
Yugoslav amendment which would
push the boundaries back to the
city proper, proposal paralleled by
White Russian amendment and
contested by South African and
Australian amendments which
would extend the free state south in
Istria to include Pola and other
Italian coastal communities.
Italian Navy to Be Divided.
The military commission adopted
without argument provisions for
division of surplus Italian feet
units among the United States,
Britain, France and Russia.
The vessels include the battle
ships Cesare, Italia and Vittorio
Veneto. five cruisers, seven destroy
ers, one sloop, six torpedo boats.
eight submarines and a host of
minor craft and auxiliaries.
This same commission approved
clauses ordering Italy to demilitarize
her frontiers with France and Yueo-
slavia, as well as Sicily, Sardinia,
Pantelleria and smaller islands in
the Mediterrnean and Adriatic.
Previously. the commission re-
jected, 16sto A, South African
amendment. which would have
limited italian military and naval
restrictions to five years at most. If
not modified earlier by the United
Nations Security Council. Only
Australia, New Zealand and the
Netherlands supported the South
African position.
(Oficials of the United Ma
tions secretariat in New York
said neither the Security Council
nor any other u N. unit would
have the authority to alter pro-
visions of the peace treaties.
(They added that the only
contingency in which the United
Nations could normally be ex-
pected to take cognizance OF
limitations on Italian armament
would be when and if Italy be-
came U. N. member. At that
time, secretariat spokesmen ex-
planned, the military staff COM
mittee would have to see to 1t
that Italy was not held re-
sponsible for greater contribu-
tions to the common armed
forces for maintaining peace
than the Italian peace treaty
permitted
British Amendment Beaten.
The Balkan Economic Committee
in considering annexes to the Ro-
manian treaty, rejected a British
sponsored amendment specifically
providing for the restoration OF
United Nations shipping seized after
June, 1941.
Delegates OF other nations said
they believed this was already suffi
GENTLY covered by the article re-
quiring the return of all United
Nations property.
The military commission votec
19 to / for Article 40 of the Italian
treaty, with Brazil absent, providing
that Italy must dispose of SUBJ
marines and nonoperational ships
within time limits and under condi.
tions specified by the Big -Four
treaty draft.
Gen. Frank Theron of South
Africa called for allowing Italy tc
salvage electrical equipment that
could aid Italy's civil economy ano
in the ensuing argument suggested
that even the steel from hulls coulo
be cut up for Italy's industry.
Capt. Ronald r. Pryce Of thu
United States Navy and A. v. Alex.
ander, first lord of Britain's Ad.
niralty, debated Interpretation o.
the draft treaty at length, with MIR
Alexander suggesting that the Ital
ians be permitted to apply for such
equipment as Italy wanted befor'
sinking the submarines.
The Russian delegation sat b,
silently during the interchange
Gen. Theron's motion was votes
down, II to /, with Belgium ant
Holland abstaining. On the fina
vote only White Russia voted agains
the United States stand. The Whit,
Russian vote was obviously the re
suit of misunderstanding ant
brought snickers from the othe,
delegates.
The pannnnt Pn~a