768.00/2–350
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia ( Allen ) to the Secretary of State
No. 106
During my conversation with Tito January 26, 19501 he said he was aware of considerable discontent in Yugoslavia, particularly among peasants, and that this discontent was due not only to disruption of previous Yugoslav economic and social system but also to “rough” methods he had had to employ. He expressed regret at necessity for these methods and said he had been “as little rough” as possible and would relax to extent future permitted. (I quote words used by translator, [Srdja] Prica, Deputy Foreign Minister. Tito spoke in Serbian after few introductory words in English, which he speaks very slightly.)
Tito went on to point out that any revolutionary movement, and particularly a social revolution, must employ rough methods to establish itself. He said even in the American Revolution, which was largely political but somewhat social in character, the American patriots had handled the Tories and loyalists “somewhat roughly” in certain cities, “seized their villas, etc.”. He hoped he could begin to relax his rough methods soon, and said the sooner he no longer needed them the better he would like it.
This gave me good opportunity to point out that one of outstanding things which created misunderstanding between Americans and Yugoslavs was considerable number of Yugoslav political prisoners who had relatives in U.S. or some American connection. I said many Americans found it difficult to understand how Yugoslav Government could in any logic express desire to develop friendly relations with U.S. while still retaining in prison at hard labor persons, including former employees this Embassy, who were charged with espionage on behalf of U.S. I said I was aware of delicacy of this question since all prisoners concerned were considered Yugoslav citizens as far as I was aware and that I did not propose to concern myself with questions which could properly be termed internal. However, I believed he would wish me to speak frankly on any subject which created misunderstanding between his country and mine.
Tito smiled, said he was fully aware of American interest in subject and said he thought something could be done, although development might have to be gradual.
I did not consider it advisable to press the point further with Tito at the moment but plan to mention it to Prica again soon. Principal difficulty is that some prisoners on whose behalf I have been requested [Page 1363] to intercede by members U.S. Congress were actually engaged, I have now learned, in subversive activity on behalf royalist Yugoslav refugees. I believe we should be most careful to avoid giving Tito any basis for believing we are concerned with restoration of Yugoslav monarchy.