File No. 701.7211/3

Remarks of the Serbian Minister ( Michaїlovitch) on the occasion of his reception by President Wilson, January 26, 1917

[Translation]

His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent of Serbia, in the name of King Peter I, my August Master, and the Royal Government of Serbia, desirous of strengthening the cordial relations already existing [Page 675] between the United States of North America and Serbia, have commissioned me to represent them near your excellency and the Government of the Republic.

In placing in your excellency’s hand my letters of credence, I beg you to believe that my every effort will be bent on tying the most beneficial and cordial bonds between our two countries. The Serbian people who only aspire to free political and economic development would like to follow in the path of the Great Republic’s stupendous advance and learn from its wide experience in every field of public life which has so happily secured independence and great prosperity for the American people.

In order to accomplish that mission, I have the honor to hope that your excellency will deign to extend to me your benevolent assistance and that I may count on the friendly cooperation of the Government of the Republic.