“SINCERE REGRET”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 371, 4 June 1928, Page 1

“SINCERE REGRET”

YUGOSLAVIA’S APOLOGY TO ITALY PUNISHING OFFENDERS (Vailed P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian Press Association) BELGRADE, Saturday. The reply of the Yugoslav Government to the Note from the Italian Government about the antiItalian outbreaks in Yugoslavia expresses sincere regret at the deplorable incidents at Sebencio and Spalato. It says the Yugoslav Government has taken measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents there and elsewhere by reinforcing the police. The events would not have happened, says the reply, if the local authorities had been able to foresee the grave turn the demonstrations were going to take. The outbreaks happened suddenly owing to false or exaggerated reports concerning the Italian demonstrations at Zara, Dalmatia. The Yugoslav Government has ordered an inquiry to determine the responsibility of officials with a view to their punishment. It has also ordered estimates of the damage done to be made with a view to making compensation to Italians who have suffered. All the guilty persons will be punished. The reply concludes with an expression of hope that the friendly relations between the two countries will not be disturbed. As a sequel to the rioting 40 university students have been sentenced to 15 days’ imprisonment and 25 others are awaiting sentence.

RENEWAL FEARED A MEETING OF PROTEST (Australian Press Association) LONDON, Saturday. The situation in Yugoslavia is now more quiet. A renewal of the disturbances is feared to-morrow, however. in connection with a meeting of protest against the ratification of the Nettuno conventions which has been called by the powerful Nationalist organisation. The position of the Belgrade Government has been strengthened by resolutions of confidence passed by the three coalition parties, and a majority is expected for the conventions when Parliament assembles again on June 8. Both the Yugoslav and Italian Governments view the demonstrations calmly, and there never was any question of an ultimatum from Rome. According to the Rome correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” the Italian Government is well aware that the disturbances were the ■work of the great Slovene factions and that they were meant to embarrass the Belgrade Government, Another message from Rome says a semi-official denial Is given to reports that the Yugoslav flag and King Alexander were- insulted at Venice and other Italian towns.