860H.01/332
The Yugoslav Minister (Fotitch) to the Secretary of State
Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to refer to my note of May 12, 1941 and, acting under the instructions of my Government, to convey to Your Excellency the following communication.
In the course of ceremonies staged in Rome on May 18th last purported agreements were signed ceding to Italy integral parts of the national territory of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. By virtue of further agreements entered into with representatives of the so-called “Independent State of Croatia” that “state”, previously established on Yugoslav territory by the military authorities of occupation, has been declared by the Italian Government to be a hereditary monarchy under Italian protection, thus establishing in effect if not in name an annexation of these territories by the Italian Government.
These agreements were entered into with the same persons who, instigated and aided by the military authorities of occupation, had usurped power in Croatia without consultation with or participation of its people, in direct violation of their essential rights and in total disregard of their vital interests.
The Royal Yugoslav Government protests against this new violation of the integrity of its national territory and against the separation of the Croat people who, through their legitimate representatives within the Royal Government continue the struggle for the liberation of Yugoslavia, which includes all Croat territory, and recognize His Majesty King Peter the Second as their only legitimate Sovereign.
Accept [etc.]