File No. 763.72119/1200
The Special Agent at Corfu ( Dodge ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 29, 9.51 a.m.]
Premier now returned. Has spoken to me in the sense of my January 22, 4 p.m., laying stress upon the effect of any plan involving retention of Austro-Hungarian Empire while separating its [Page 792] Polish, Italian and Roumanian peoples which he declared would lead to its complete Germanization owing to the Germans and Magyars being thus left in majority. He emphasized necessity of the dismemberment of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in order to enable Slavs of Austro-Hungarian Empire, exercising the right of self-disposition, to form independent states which would constitute barrier to Germany. Premier appeared as usual but I learn is depressed and anxious.
From French Minister, just returned from Salonica, and others I learn President’s and Lloyd George’s speeches caused almost panic among Serbs there, Cabinet Ministers even wishing to resign. Serious consequences avoided chiefly through strong influence of Pashitch who arrived at this time.
Parliament called for February 15 when a change to coalition ministry under Pashitch expected.