860h.00/9–15545: Telegram
The Chargé in Yugoslavia (Shantz) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 15—3:55 p.m.]
461. Subasic is still in bed from effects of stroke.49 Sutej told us last night this unlucky circumstance and bad weather have combined undo 5 months’ planning of Peasant Party leaders. Subasic trip50 [Page 1258] would have revealed to world his final realization of impossibility of continuing on present basis with Tito. After talks with Macek and Allied leaders in London, including Molotov, Subasic was to have returned to Belgrade to enter his name with list of opposition candidates before deadline of Sept 30. It was hoped opposition would receive support from London and Washington and elections would be postponed. Sutej has been talking with Grol on plans for joint Serb-Croat electoral list.
With Subasic ill, Sutej feels they must proceed without benefit of previous direct contact with Macek and Allied leaders. Sutej feels he must take responsibility on behalf of Peasant Party and by Monday, 17th, either enter opposition list or decide not to participate. He told us he will welcome advice from America and England, whose interest he feels Subasic and now he represents in Provisional Govt.
Last evening secretary of Subasic asked British Ambassador to call on Subasic, but when Stevenson arrived at his home a few minutes later Ozna guards stopped him from entering grounds. Today Velebit apologized for this, explaining that Subasic has right arm and leg paralyzed, and five doctors in attendance who have ordered that he see no one, not even Tito.51 Doctors said it would be over a week before they would know whether Subasic will recover. Sutej tells us that two of the doctors are Russian specialists who came here to treat Tito’s son for serious wound from pistol shot a few weeks ago.
- Foreign Minister Subasich suffered a stroke on September 11, 1945.↩
- Dr. Subasich, who had just returned from political discussions in Croatia, had planned to leave Belgrade for Paris on September 11 where he expected to discuss the Croatian political situation with the exiled Croatian leader, Dr. Vladko Machek. From Paris he hoped to go on to London where the Council of Foreign Ministers was meeting and have discussions with political leaders there including the Secretary of State.↩
- The Chargé reported in telegram 490, September 22, 1945, that he had seen Dr. Subasich the day before, in the presence of a nurse. He reported that Dr. Subasich was in low spirits and complaining about being prevented from seeing anyone. The Chargé concluded: “I am convinced despite Subasich’s present condition that he has been kept incommunicado for political purposes.” (860h.002/9–2245)↩