740.00/1923: Telegram
The Minister in Yugoslavia (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:25 p.m.]
192. For the Secretary and Under Secretary. In the talks I had with Prince Paul at Brdo on July 12 and July 15 he expressed himself as being “most pessimistic [”] regarding the international situation. He referred to his optimism of last September which he claims was justified due to the possibility of compromise. Now Hitler cannot go back on his promise that Danzig become a part of Germany, nor can Great Britain and France back down from their stand not to permit [Page 199] the incorporation of Danzig into the Reich. The situation now depends on the question of prestige. The Prince said he did not believe either side would give way: hence the only answer is war.
He said that the United States could still play a very important role in favor of peace and he expressed the hope that the President “who understands the situation so well” will be able to use the moral influence of the United States to avert war. While he did not so explicitly state, I inferred that the Prince is in favor of our exerting our influence through neutrality legislation or through some administrative measures to give us freedom of action in sending arms and munitions where we wish.
The Prince has apparently been impressed by Italian propaganda for he seemed loath to believe that the anti-German feeling in Italy is so high. He expressed the opinion that Grandi had been recalled from London because he had become too friendly with the British.
Prince Paul said to me that his Government is under terrific pressure from Berlin, exerted through Neuhausen, German Consul General at Belgrade, who is an intimate friend of Marshal Goering. The Prince admitted that Neuhausen had exerted pressure in connection with the concession desired by the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, regarding which I am reporting in a separate message.14
Prince Paul said he thought there would be no immediate danger to European peace, many important German officials being now absent from Berlin. He said he would leave tonight (Saturday) for London.
The more I see the Prince the more convinced I am that his sympathies are with Great Britain and France as contrasted with the Axis powers.
- Telegram No. 193, July 17, 10 a.m., not printed.↩