he Yugoslav and Roumanian
leaders there, for instance, discussed the Banat frontier question, and
the conciliatory proposals made no doubt furthered the final solution,
with which they harmonized. When there was a serious danger of a clash
between the Italian army and the Serbian forces at Ljubljana, knowing
the imminence of the danger I made such strong representations to Lord
D., which he forwarded to Balfour, that immediate pressure was exercised
at Rome, and the Italians just drew back in time. I also was able to
convey strong monitions to the other side. I used to let our Ambassador
have a short precis almost daily of affairs connected with those
regions.... With great trouble I prevailed on the Yugoslav
representatives to agree to a scheme, which I drew up, for the
neutralization of the East Adriatic coastal waters, and this was taken
up by the Americans--Colonel House inviting me to an interview on the
subject, in which he expressed his approval. A copy was also sent to the
F.O., and for this and for several other bits of work useful to the F.O.
I received Balfour's official thanks. I had also many friendly
conversations with prominent Italians in Paris, and in every way
ingeminated agreement between them and the Southern Slavs. But,
meanwhile, I exposed the Nationalist Italian campaign, to which Sonnino
was privy, in the _Manchester Guardian_. Finally I went, at the end of
1918, for a short holiday to England, Lord Derby (with whom I always had
the friendliest relations) giving me a diplomatic pass. When, however,
early in January 1919 I prepared to return to Paris, where I had kept on
my expensive rooms, I found difficulties in my way. Italian intrigue had
apparently been on foot. I was advised to write to Lord Hardinge, and I
told him briefly the circumstances. This great man never answered or
acknowledged my letter, and it was only by making urgent personal
representations at the F.O. that I finally got the answer that they
refused me a passport.... I gather that it was not only Italian intrigue
but the feeling that they did not want 'damned experts.' And so they
blundered on, and to this day"--the letter is dated July 17,
1920--"nothing is settled on the Adriatic but unsettlement."

THE DUPES OF NIKITA IN MONTENEGRO

Meanwhile at intervals during this year there had been troubles in
Montenegro. On three occasions the Italians at Antivari had endeavoured
to extend their sphere of influence, but the armed c