740.00116 European War 1939/492
The Secretary of State to the Yugoslav Minister (Fotitch)
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of April 13 in which you place on record the protest of the Royal Yugoslav Government with respect to the order of the authorities now in control at Belgrade, demanding the surrender of General Draža Mihajlović and his staff, and announcing, in the event of non-compliance, that their families will be taken as hostages, and further that the families of other persons having contact with, or rendering assistance to the campaign of General Mihajlović will be held in reprisal, and their property held subject to, confiscation.
The position of this Government with respect to the taking of hostages has already been made known. This barbarous practice as a German method of warfare was stigmatized in a declaration made public by the President of the United States on October 25, 1941,8 [Page 804] which in turn was cited, as your Government is aware, in the joint declaration recently signed at London by the representatives of nations whose territory is now under German tyranny, proclaiming to the world the resolve of outraged peoples that retribution would be exacted.
The Government and people of the United States have watched with admiration the resourceful and heroic operations of General Mihajlović and his men and are proud to acknowledge the contribution of Yugoslav patriots in the common struggle against the forces bent on the destruction of free nations throughout the world. The shocking proclamation to which your note has reference is but another of a series of savage and ruthless measures whereby German terrorism has sought to break the spirit of brave men.
Accept [etc.]
- For text of declaration, see Department of State Bulletin, October 25, 1941, p. 317.↩