860h.01/1–1545: Telegram
Mr. Alexander C. Kirk, Political Adviser, Allied Force Headquarters,14 to the Secretary of State 15
[Received January 16—7 p.m.]
166. OSS16 has informed us that Tito appeared very pleased that King Peter had made declaration which he did with regard to Tito-Subasic agreement and expressed view that Peter had only damaged his own cause.17 Although Tito first intimated he would give up idea of a unified government, he later admitted that if Peter accepted agreement within next few days, he would go through with it but if there were any more delay, he would repudiate it. Belgrade newspaper editorials of January 14 confirm this decision and forecast pursuance of national liberation plans for time being. In event Peter should remain firm, Belgrade opinion is that agreement would be repudiated by Tito, Avnoj would be declared provisional supreme administrative organ and Tito would be named Premier of National Committee. Thereafter, the Allies would be faced with question of recognition in which Anglo-Saxons are expected to be more hesitant than Russians and other continental governments.
- Mr. Kirk was also Ambassador to Italy.↩
- This telegram was sent to the President as an enclosure to a memorandum by the Secretary of State on January 17, 1945, not printed.↩
- Office of Strategic Services.↩
- In telegram 133, January 13, 1945, from Caserta, the U.S. Political Adviser reported that the King’s declaration was “received in Belgrade with enthusiasm by ever increasing portion of the population which is becoming increasingly dissatisfied with present regime.” On the other hand, he observed that the declaration was attacked vigorously in the Partisan press. (860h.01/1–1345)↩