740.00119 Control (Austria)/5–2045: Telegram
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Patterson) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 20—2 p.m.]
101. Foreign Office last night handed me note from Marshal Tito dated May 19th together with following translation thereof:
“Have the honor of asking you to transmit to the Government of the United States of America the following reply to your note number 36 of the 17th May.96
“The Government of Democratic Federative Yugoslavia have issued orders to the troops of the Yugoslav Army who are to the north of the American [Austrian]97 frontier of 1937 in the area west of Dravograd to withdraw to the pre-war boundary line.
“However, in regard the Yugoslav Government declared and reiterated Interson [intention] to leave to the peace conference the final settlement of frontiers, the Government of Democratic Federative Yugoslavia state with regret that they cannot agree with the view of the Government of the United States of America that the presence of Yugoslav Troops on the territory occupied by them in the fight against common enemies could in any way be considered as a prejudice to the decisions concerning the determination of frontier between Democratic Federative Yugoslavia and Austria.
“The orders of withdrawal to the troops of the Yugoslav Army have been issued in order to stress the desire of the Government of Democratic Federative Yugoslavia to comply to the utmost with the wishes of their Allies, the United States and Great Britain, without prejudicing the final settlement of frontier with Austria which will take place at the peace conference.
“The movements of the troops of the Yugoslav Army towards the pre-war frontier are subject to the evacuation of the booty which has fallen into the hands of our Army, and the evacuation of which is being carried out rapidly and according to plan.”