740.0011 European War 1939/6835: Telegram
The Minister in Yugoslavia (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:06 p.m.]
542. I asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs this morning what Yugoslavia’s attitude would be in the event that Bulgaria attacks Greece and whether he considered the provisions of the Balkan Pact still in force in view of the collapse of Rumania. The Minister replied that today there is no such thing as pacts, that only the question of one’s own interests is involved. He said that today one must regard facts and not obligations. (The British Minister whom I met subsequently at the Foreign Office informed me that the Minister for Foreign Affairs recently spoke to him in an identical manner.)
In reply to my inquiry regarding information as to Bulgaria’s attitude, he said that this morning assurances had been received from the Bulgarian Minister for Foreign Affairs that Bulgaria had no intention to attack Greece or Yugoslavia and that Bulgaria had been informed by Germany that Germany did not intend any move in the Balkans. The Minister said, however, that in the event that Germany should request passage of troops through Bulgaria, Bulgaria would surely accede.
He said that the Yugoslav Government still is in doubt as to whether Germany intends to come to the aid of Italy against Greece. He said that the Yugoslav Government has received no information regarding the increase of German troops in Rumania. (This information was also given to Colonel Fortier this morning by the Yugoslav General Staff, although contradicting that transmitted in my 541, November 22, 7 p.m.53)
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