875.01/7–1544: Telegram

The Counselor of Mission at Algiers (Chapin) to the Secretary of State

2410. From Murphy. General Wilson has asked Balkan Air Force to pass to Hoxha a message of appreciation for his message mentioned [Page 275] my 2368 July 12.24 SAC’s25 message states flatly, however, that Allied supplies sent Hoxha are for sole purpose [of] assisting his forces fight enemy and that supplies will cease if they are used against Hoxha’s countrymen for political purpose. It also states SAC must hold Hoxha responsible personally for making efforts for agreement with Kupi enabling joint action against Germans. Hoxha is invited to send three representatives to Bari for discussions with Balkan Air Force (BAF) commander.

Meantime BAF relays report from British Liaison Officer with Hoxha that latter still unwilling compromise with Kupi whose present whereabouts unknown. Major Smith (my 2346, July 10) reports still en route to first Partisan division. Mati area north of Tirana entered by LNC Partisans but only isolated incidents of fighting between Zogists and LNC reported.

SAC also has cabled British Chiefs of Staff that Zogists will be supported with comparatively small scale supplies if reconciliation with LNC should establish common aim of resisting enemy, in view of political and unifying benefits even though worthwhile military results hardly could be expected.

Sent Department as no. 2410, repeated to AmEmBalk Cairo for MacVeagh as No. 24. [Murphy.]

Chapin
  1. Not printed.
  2. Supreme Allied Commander (Mediterranean Theater).