An item reported that at Spalato [Split, Croatia] everything seemed to be outwardly quiet. However a report of the Admirals Committee made clear that the Italian delegates frequently demanded that the Allies would occupy the town just like Fiume. England and France were strongly against this Italian demand while it was unjust and not needed and moreover it was a serious threat for the Italian-Serbian relations. An example was the attack on Italian naval officers after a political meeting and a proposed demonstration of welcome organized by the Italian Club when an Italian warship arrived. The anti-Italian feeling was intense and the Italian behaviour did not help. The USA admiral still controlled the situation with Inter-Allied patrols for the time being but when the Admirals Committee would leave Spalato, were still naval forces strong enough for patrols ashore needed. The commander-in-chief of the British Adriatic Force (a commodore) thought the best solution was to let Italy and the inhabitants settle their problems when peace was declared. It this failed where at least 4 cruisers to be stationed in the Adriatic before and when the peace was declared, The British Delegate on the Admirals Committee shared this opinion.
Source
The National Archives, Kew Gardens, England CAB-23-76-100
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