740.00119 European War 1939/2398: Telegram

The Ambassador to the Yugoslav Government in Exile (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State

Yugos 76. This morning Prince Stirbei forwarded the Soviet Government’s proposals (see last paragraph of my Yugos 75, March 29, [Page 163] 8 [9] p.m.43) to Maniu for Antonescu via British channels but at the same hour the British received a message from Maniu relaying a complaint from Antonescu that the messages containing the Soviet proposals have not come through Cretzeanu and adding that in view of their vital importance Antonescu desires them repeated through Cretzeanu and through DC (a British parachutist with a radio set who was captured and is still held by Antonescu) in which case he will reply direct.

Accordingly the British are replying to Maniu that they are repeating the Soviet proposals through Cretzeanu and will repeat them to Maniu himself by the same channel if he so wishes. Their message adds that they urge Antonescu to establish contact with the Allies by means of the above mentioned DC set as soon as possible; and that they also urge him to establish contact with the Soviet High Command as advised in the Soviet Government’s message.

Our British friends are encouraged [by] the evident desire of Antonescu to make sure the Soviet offer is authentic. They comment that Antonescu needs time to prepare a change of front and that the daily advance of the Soviet forces must make the advantages of a change constantly more obvious to him.

MacVeagh
  1. Not printed.