740.0011 European War 1939/9410: Telegram
The Minister in Yugoslavia (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 29—5:45 a.m.]
265. General Simović received me this evening. I delivered to him the message contained in your 5775 which he said he had not yet received through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He asked me to express to the President on behalf of the King and himself his very deep appreciation of the Government and people of the United States at this delicate moment and that the support of the President is especially appreciated as he is the leading defender of the liberty of the democracies of the world. The following is strictly confidential for the Acting Secretary.
[Page 971]Having further evidence of uneasiness as mentioned in my 25776 regarding possibility of our using pressure to force Yugoslavia to take offensive as Britain has done, I said we had never urged on previous government such a move and my efforts had been solely to prevent Yugoslavia from relinquishing her independence. I referred to public enthusiasm today as proof of public support of policy of preserving independence and said that he could count on us to help both materially and morally to that end.
He said he had warned Prince Paul Sunday night that signature of pact would bring about revolt of officers, especially in aviation, but at critical moment Prince lacked courage to make decision. Prince had however yesterday been most helpful in Zagreb in persuading Maček and other Croats to enter new Government and promised last night to support Government outside.
As to Tripartite Pact Simović said Government wishes to avoid discussion if possible. It does not wish to denounce pact nor will it ratify it.
It considers pact to be work of Cvetković and not of present Government which does not consider itself obligated to observe terms which have not been ratified. Yugoslavia does not wish to provoke Germany or Italy but will resist by force any attempt to take Salonika, which is vital to national interests, nor will it tolerate move against sovereignty of country.
As Meily reports lack of enthusiasm in Zagreb regarding developments I asked him about situation in Croatia. He said he had assurances from Maček through Subasic who is now here that Croatian Peasant Party will support Government. He said being a soldier and not a diplomat he had talked to me freely but he did not wish his remarks to be taken as official expression of his Government but merely for information of President as showing his personal views. As he has definitely the support of Army and public, intensified by popularity of King, his views can in my opinion be accepted as controlling.