Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, General, Volume I

870.811/203: Telegram

The Minister in Yugoslavia (Lane) to the Secretary of State

Belgrade, July 3, 1940—7 p.m.
[Received 7:52 p.m.]

291. Reference Bucharest’s 319, June 28, 7 p.m.⁶⁴ A reliable source has informed us that Russia has already requested a place on the commission for the control of the mouths of the Danube⁶⁵ and on the International Danube Commission. My informant is of the opinion that the Russian request will be sponsored by the British with the hope that the Russian vote can be counted on to conflict with those of the Axis Powers.

The British Minister⁶⁶ while noncommittal on the subject admitted that it was now to be expected that Russia should be represented on both commissions.

The Italian representative on the Danube Commission who resides in Belgrade denies that any Russian request has been made, but admits without enthusiasm that such a move is now to be expected.

Repeated to Moscow.

Lane

64. Not printed.
65. The European Commission of the Danube.
66. Sir Ronald I. Campbell.