740.0011 European War 1939/9449: Telegram
The Minister in Yugoslavia (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 30—2:50 p.m.]
275. Momcilo Ninčić, newly appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs, received me this afternoon. My first impressions are that he is serious, conservative in action with a superior mentality and cultural background. Following is substance of his remarks: The Government has as yet taken no position regarding Tripartite Pact. His feeling [Page 972] is that it cannot be repudiated as terms of pact provided that it would enter into effect immediately on signature. Therefore no ratification necessary. Croats, Slovenes and Mussulmans (Bosnians) desire adherence to pact’s terms. Refusal of Government to honor terms would not only lead to trouble with Germany but would also bring about dissolution of country as Maček in that case would not enter Government. Vital question is how pact will be applied. Present Government will never permit what has happened in Rumania or Bulgaria, in control by Germany of country or will it permit any step which would be against independence. German Government has asked for explanation of Government’s attitude but has set no time limit for reply. Personally he is in favor of peace provided sovereignty of country not impaired. This is not a Cvetković government which gives in total [to all?] demands. I could assure my Government emphatically on this point. Demonstrations of yesterday in favor of democracies and against Axis puts Yugoslavia in bad situation with Germany as demonstrations in France and Turkey in favor of this regime. Unwise British broadcasts also embarrassing. It would be appreciated if our Government would bear this in mind. Exodus of German colony is unfortunate sign but probably a move to exert pressure on Yugoslavia to accept pact’s terms.
All members of Cvetkovic government not familiar with terms of pact even Ninčić not yet able to ascertain nature of all secret commitments. Person responsible for pact was Prince Paul who visited Hitler secretly at Berchtesgaden about March 11.
He said that freezing of Yugoslav funds in United States had put Yugoslavia into unfavorable political situation, on same basis with Hungary and other countries under German domination. I explained to him background of negotiations of which he was evidently unaware and said I had asked Department for information as to whether freezing still in force in view of change of government.
He said he was ignorant of my conversations with Prince and Cvetkovic in which they promised they would not sign Tripartite Pact. He said that Prince never really consulted political leaders and thus was not in touch with feeling in country.
He said that Yugoslavia could not count on Soviet support unless the Soviet Union were in danger of being attacked by Germany. In that case Soviets would probably offer Yugoslavia military alliance.
On leaving Minister I met Kulovec and Krek, two Slovene leaders, who said situation in Slovenia very delicate and that Government should shortly make its decision otherwise trouble might be expected. I explained to them as I had to Ninčić that our Government had never urged Yugoslavia to be the aggressor in any conflict despite rumors to the contrary.