860H.01/332
The Secretary of State to the Yugoslav Minister (Fotitch)
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of May 12, 1941 concerning the creation of the so-called “Independent State of Croatia”. I observe that the Royal Yugoslav Government desires to register its most emphatic protest against this unlawful action of the German Reich and considers null and void all acts relating to the creation of the so-called “Independent State of Croatia”, the sole object of which is to dismember the national territory of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
I also wish to refer to your note of May 24, 1941 concerning the purported agreements said to have been signed in Rome on May 18 last providing for the cession to Italy of integral parts of the national [Page 981] territory of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. I note that the Royal Yugoslav Government protests against this new violation of its integrity and against the separation of the Croat people, who, through their legitimate representatives within the Royal Government continue the struggle for the liberation of Yugoslavia, which includes all Croat territory, and recognize His Majesty King Peter the Second as their only legitimate Sovereign.
I desire to thank you for your courtesy in furnishing me with this expression of your views and to reiterate the indignation of this Government and the American people at the invasion and mutilation of Yugoslavia by various member states of the Tripartite Pact.
Accept [etc.]