!" [An
American flag.] "This fool! instead of giving him a black eye,
the ardito pulled off his flag. This is Italy! Mind you don't
go to the _Maddalena_ to-morrow! Whatever it costs me, I shall
prevent it! You are the leaders who will be responsible for
anything that happens to-morrow." [This was the eve of the
Italian national celebration of June 1.] "Our arditi are
blood-thirsty; do not be surprised if some lady of yours
receives a black eye.... We are the masters here! This is
Italy! This is Italy! We have won the War, we have spent
milliards and sacrificed millions of soldiers." On this Mr.
Mi[vs]e Ivanovi['c] remarked: "I beg your pardon, but the Paris
Conference has not yet decided the fate of these territories."
And the Colonel replied, "It has been decided! But even if we
had to leave, remember that on taking down our flag we shall
destroy everything, with 5000 machine guns, 2000 guns and
40,000 men! Good night, gentlemen." This declaration made by
the town commandant, presumably a responsible officer, was
testified by the signature of all those who were present....
When, in 1921, the Italians were leaving [vS]ibenik they
destroyed a large number of young trees in the park and
elsewhere. The Venetians, in the Middle Ages, had cut down
millions of Dalmatian trees, but always with a utilitarian
purpose.]

[Footnote 38: In view of what the census said with regard to
this place it is superfluous to add that when an Italian
officer in my hearing asked one who was stationed there if
there was any social life, the other answered: "None at all;
the whole population is Slav." I find that _Modern Italy_
(published in London) quoted with approval the following
telegram which appeared, it said, in the _Tempo_ of May 9: "A
remarkably enthusiastic celebration took place at Obrovazzo.
Several thousands, including representatives of the
neighbouring villages, formed a procession and marched through
the town. In the principal piazza, the President of the
National party, Bertuzzi, delivered a stirring speech, which
was enthusiastically applauded."]

[Footnote 39: It is customary for Serbian officers to wear but
one decoration, the highest among those to which they are
entitled. To illustrate this Serbian modesty regarding
honorifics, I might mention that one evening