740.0011 European War 1939/9164: Telegram
The Minister in Yugoslavia (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:55 p.m.]
Personal for the Under Secretary. In my letter of February 2553 to you which was sent by hand by Byington,54 I referred to promise given to me by Prince on February 23 (see my 12354a) that he would resist military aggression as well as diplomatic demands on the part of Germany. After commenting on his temperamental disposition and his susceptible nature I pointed out that his promise should not be regarded as being of a permanent nature. I said I did not mean that he would intentionally break his word but that he might be subsequently so overwrought by the seriousness of the situation as to be inclined to forget the gravity of his former promises.
I fear that this is the situation as it is today, aggravated by attitude of closest advisers, as pointed out in my 20.55
As the Prince is dining privately with me tomorrow evening I shall do my best to strengthen his resistance then, even though it may be too late. It would, of course, be of the greatest help if I could deliver to him a personal message from the President, for whom he has the greatest admiration.