War that it
would please them if this island were to be included in the Kingdom of
Italy. They did not give their Austrian rulers many sleepless nights;
this confidence in them was justified, for during the War they placed
themselves in the front rank of those who flung defiant words at Italy,
and one of them enlarged his weapon, copying upon his typewriter some
Songs of Hate, which probably were sent to him from Rieka or Triest.
These typewritten sheets were then circulated in the island. One of
them--"Con le teste degli Italiani"--had been specially composed for
children and expressed the intention of playing bowls with Italian
heads. The songs for adults were less blood-thirsty but not less cruel.
The Yugoslavs of the island must have been engaged in other War work; no
songs were provided for them.... When Austria collapsed, some youths
came from Rieka, flourishing their flags and sticks, and crying, "Down
with Austria!" "Long live Italy!" "Long live Yugoslavia!" "Long live
King Peter!" There was, in fact general goodwill. A Croat National
Council was formed, and was recognized by the Italian party; it
introduced a censorship, but as the postmaster's allegiance was given to
the minority he sent a telegram to Triest, asking for bread and
protection; and on November 15 the _Stocco_ arrived. Other people soon
departed; the Bishop's chancellor and his chaplain, two magistrates and
a Custom-house official, were shipped off to Italy or Sardinia, while
the owner of the typewriter flew off as a delegate to Paris, having
persuaded the town council of the capital to vote a sum of 36,000 crowns
for his expenses--but a crown was now worth less than half a franc.
However, two members of the town council thought that it was a waste of
money; but when they were threatened with internment in Sardinia they
withdrew their active opposition, and the delegate set out. On the way
he granted an interview to an Italian journalist, and depicted the
spontaneous enthusiasm with which the islanders had called for Italy.
But the journalist had heard of the National Council and he asked, very
naturally, whether it shared these sentiments. "Ha parlato da Italiano!"
("I have spoken as an Italian"), replied the delegate; and when the
newspaper reached the island, this cryptic saying was interpreted in
various ways, his critics pointing out that, as he had diverged from
truthfulness, this was another little Song of Hate. The Bishop, Dr.
Mahni['c],[12