860H.01/10–3144: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser on the Staff of the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean Theater (Kirk), to the Secretary of State
[Received November 1—1:57 a.m.]
1065. Re my 1053, October 31, 4 p.m.73 Maclean has informed General Wilson that in his conversation with Tito on present state of British-Yugoslavia relations latter asserted that continued presence of an American [mission] with Mihailovic was bitterly resented by Partisans and was certain to react unfavorably on Partisan relations with United States and Great Britain. According to Tito Partisans [Page 1416] had proved that Colonel MacDowell74 was not limiting his activity to intelligence work but was representing himself, or in any event was permitting himself to be represented, as official representative of Government of United States sanctioned by Allied High Command on whose behalf HQ promised support to Mihailovic. There was also evidence that supplies have in fact been sent to Chetniks and to many of leading members of Mihailovic’s groups. This fact was also very disturbing to Partisans. Tito told Maclean that he had been assured some time ago that instructions had been given for immediate withdrawal of MacDowell but latter was still in Yugoslavia running from one place to another with Mihailovic. Tito said that he could not understand this phase of Allied policy since fact of Mihailovic’s collaboration with Nazis was now generally accepted and even King Peter had publicly denounced him. According to Tito so long as American mission was with Mihailovic it would be difficult to permit Colonel Huntington75 of OSS facilities he would otherwise have liked to grant.
Maclean commented that mention of Mihailovic makes Tito and his followers see even redder than usual and they are completely baffled as to why there could be any adequate reason for American Government maintaining a mission with Mihailovic.
As Department is probably aware MacDowell has been endeavoring for over a month to leave Yugoslavia [but] has met with many difficulties due to increased tempo of fighting there. OSS here state that MacDowell is already with his party to be evacuated but that bad weather has made it impossible for plane to land at his present HQS.