740.0011 European War 1939/9636: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:55 p.m.]
679. My 656, April 2, 7 p.m. and Belgrade’s 297, April 1, 1 p.m.67 The Yugoslav Minister who had just returned from a visit to Vyshinski accompanied by two “ranking Yugoslav aviators” who arrived as “couriers”, told me this afternoon that he had taken up with Vyshinski the subject of moral and material support for Yugoslavia from the Soviet Government. He said that he regarded moral support as the more important at the moment as in the event of a German attack it would be highly desirable for the Yugoslav masses to be stimulated by the moral support of the Soviet Union. He said that the question of material assistance, which was also essential, could be taken up later, although he discussed briefly with Vyshinski the possibility of obtaining airplanes, munitions and supplies. His specific request at the moment of the Soviet Government was for a declaration of “some”, the form of which he told Vyshinski was of relatively little importance. He said that Vyshinski had taken the matter under advisement and had promised an answer tonight.
- Neither printed.↩