860h.00/10–1945: Telegram
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 20—1:30 a.m.]
573. I called on Marshal Tito yesterday and in the course of an informal discussion, I emphatically reaffirmed our desire to have Yalta declarations carried out in spirit as well as letter. I told him [Page 1272] that we did not find the Yugoslav people in a situation where they could express themselves freely, vote as they wish, or live without fear. I pointed out that freedom of the press meant nothing when government spokesmen called the opposition traitors and hot-heads were permitted to attack offices and news vendors of the sole opposition paper, as happened this week. I expressed our dissatisfaction that elections promised to be one party affair and with government officials who have publicly stated that only possible outcome is victory for National Front and that any attempt to bring about a different result would be traitorous.
In reply Tito maintained at length that Yalta declarations had been met by enlargement of Avnoj (Yugoslav legislative body anti-Fascist council), passage of laws providing for free elections, free press, et cetera, and arrangements for elections on November 11. He said that the persons who had attacked opposition press had been arrested and would be tried. He did not know what party they represented but suspected they were enemies of the government attempting to make more trouble for it. He said that he genuinely wanted more friendly relations with United States, both for traditional reasons and because Yugoslavia needs our economic and financial help. He added that, speaking personally and not for his group, he felt that western democracies favored the opposition, none of whom had fired a shot against the Germans during the occupation.
Tito then said he wished to explain a situation which I might not be aware of, that there are numerous criminal bands now operating in Bosnia and Croatia. Yugos had trouble with similar groups after last war, but situation now was more serious. Nothing had appeared in the press about this, but their crimes would soon be made public. Preparations are being made to wipe out these bands and he wanted us to understand situation. Misunderstanding might arise because certain “ideological concepts” had been adopted by some of these criminal groups.
Tito’s reply contained nothing new and was as unconvincing as the propaganda now pouring out of all government channels. He left me with the impression that he intends to carry out his program regardless of attacks from within or outside the country and despite any representations that might be made to him.