GRECO-ITALIAN: Dying Embers

Occupation. The Italian forces under the command of Admiral Bellini, “Governor of Corfu,” took possession of the islands of Merlera, Fani and Mathraki. In addition to these islands the Italians held the islands of Corfu, Paxos, Antipaxos, Cephalonia and Samos (TIME, Sept. 10). Further reinforcements were sent to Corfu, bringing the total Italian forces up to about 8,000 men.

Proclamation. ” To the Royal Government of Corfu. To the inhabitants of Corfu. By order of His Majesty, the King of Italy, I have taken charge of the civil and military rule of this land with the fullest powers. His Excellency, the Chief Commander of the Italian Navy and Army, already has notified you of the object of this peaceful occupation. The customary routine of public and private life here will continue to proceed peacefully under the aegis of Italy, direct heiress of the great Latin civilizations, with only such limitations as may hereafter be imposed by circumstances. I have the utmost confidence that his order will be wisely observed by all, thus avoiding the necessity of using force.

“Governor Aurelio Bellini,

“Vice Admiral.”

Italian Lake. By the occupation of Corfu, off Epirus, the Italians strategically if temporarily realized their dream of turning the Adriatic Sea into an Italian Lake. Italy owns the whole of the Istrian peninsula in the North and by the occupation of Corfu she blocked the Straits of Otranto in the South. This meant that she could control practically the entire southbound trade of Central Europe, which passes through the ports of Trieste and Fiume.

Britain. The Ionian isles, of which Corfu is one, belonged in the 18th Century to the Venetian Republic. According to the terms of the peace of Campo Formio, the Republic was divided between France and Austria and the Ionian isles went to France. Later—in the Napoleonic Wars—Britain obtained possession of this group of islands and held them until 1863, when she ceded them to Greece, but, on account of its naval importance, the neutrality of Corfu was guaranteed by the Great Powers of the time. Italy, who was not at that time a united nation, could not sign the guarantee. But from the British point of view Italy has violated the neutrality of Corfu; for this reason the British Government warned Italy last week that if the League of Nations had not existed she would be bound to take action against her; for the same reason Britain placed part of her fleet at the disposal of the League.

League of Nations. The alignment of the nations in the League showed that Italy and France were completely isolated in Europe. The most interesting feature in this respect was that the Little Entente nations (CzechoSlovakia, Rumania, Yugo-Slavia) showed themselves to be at variance with France, their so-called master.

Signor Salandra, Italian representative of the Council of the League, declined to permit* the League to intervene in the Italo-Greek rumpus, stating that it was incompetent to do so. Among the number of protests at this attitude, the speech of Lord Robert Cecil was significant. He cited Articles X, XII, XV of the Treaty of Versailles (League Covenant). The words Treaty of Versailles ” struck immediately everyone present.” Lord Robert pointed out that the articles were to be found in the Treaties of St. Germain, Neuilly and Trianon; if they were disregarded ” the whole settlement of the new Europe will be shaken.” In the end the Council of the League of Nations referred its minutes to the Council of Ambassadors.

Council of Ambassadors. The Council of Ambassadors at Paris is inheritor of the functions of the Supreme Council (which functioned during and immediately after the War) and consists of the French Minister for Foreign Affairs (Premier Poincare) and the Ambassadors of the Allied Powers (British Empire, France, Italy, Belgium, Japan) accredited to the French Republic. This body sent Greece ” the terms of her atonement,” which were nearly identical with the Italian demands voiced in her ultimatum to Greece (TIME, Sept. 10):

1) The Italian naval squadron to be saluted by 21 guns at Piraeus. The Italian naval squadron to be accompanied by a French and a British warship to emphasize the consolidarity of the Great Powers.

2) A memorial service in honor of the Janina victims to be held at Athens and attended by members of the Greek Government.

3) Military honors to be shown to the remains of the victims as they are taken aboard an Italian manofwar.

4) The Greek Government to deposit 50,000,000 lire (about $2,500, 000) in a foreign bank as a guarantee for whatever indemnity the Council shall ultimately fix. (Italy asked 50,000,000 lire outright indemnity.)

5) Inquiry to be held to establish the exact responsibility for the murder of the Italian delegation for the Delimitation of the Greco-Albanian frontier. The committee of inquiry to be composed of one Italian, one French and one British member with Japanese President.

6) Exemplary punishment for the murderers.

It must be noted that the Janinn, murder was morally a blow against the Council of Ambassadors who had set up the Greco-Albanian Delimitation Commission, and this explains to some extent the Council’s virtual affirmation of the Italian ultimatum.

“Greek Victory.” The Greek Government (which had flatly refused Articles 4, 5 and 6 of the Italian ultimatum) accepted the terms of the Council of Ambassadors, but urged that Italy evacuate Corfu at once. Greece regarded the terms of the Council as ” a Greek victory,” implying that international settlement of the dispute does not violate Greek sovereignty. Rewards totaling $1,000,000 drachmas ($5,000) were offered for information on the murder.

“Italian Victory.” Italy regarded the demands of the Council of Ambassadors as a “great victory,” and despite earlier predilection for isolated action, she seemed content to let the Council act. It was understood Italy would probably occupy Corfu and adjacent islands until the payment of the indemnity by Greece, which cannot be made until after the Commission of Inquiry have presented their report and the Council of Ambassadors have fixed the total.

* Both parties must agree to arbitrate before the League can act, except when Article XVI Is Invoked against a nation which resorts to war in defiance of the Covenant; then the remaining members can exert pressure against that nation.