Trieste : The Final Solution ?
At last it looks as if Europe is to be rid of a chronic weakness in its south-eastern corner. The Italian Government seems to be on the point of accepting the Anglo-American proposals for a final settlement of the Trieste problem—or rather of signifying its readiness to receive them formally. Several weeks ago Yugoslavia rather tactlessly let it be known that by agreeing to partition more or less along the present line it had made its last concession, that it was now up to Italy, and that Italy ought to be quick about it. That caused more of a stir in Italy, and talk of ultimatums', that the similar gesture which- Yugoslavia made earlier this week. Brute facts have a way of impressing themselves in time on even the proudest and touchiest people, and Italy has had plenty of time to get used to the fact that a claim to the whole of the territory could only, if persisted in, have unpleasant results. To accept the obvious compromise over Trieste, on the other hand, would immediately remove the main source of tension between Italy and Yugoslavia and increase the strength of Western Europe in that area. The demands of national honour can no doubt be satisfied by judicious wording of the agreement. There is little doubt that the Italian Cabinet will accept the proposals, but, in spite of the recent fall in the temperature of public opinion, the business of getting Parliament to do likewise without a fuss will be a delicate one. It will be made more delicate if the general opposition to partition by the Italians of Zone A is given violent expression. In spite of the assurances which a delegation received recently in Rome feeling is in danger of running high. The Communists are thinking of calling a general strike. `Self-determination' is no doubt the ideally just method of solving the problem, but here as elsewhere it is wholly impracticable. The Italians of the territory will do well to swalloW their disappointment and accept Rome's decision. The injustices involved are the sacrifices necessary for the abolition of tension.
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