860S.00/9–1647: Telegram
The Ambassador in Yugoslavia (Cannon) to the Secretary of State
most immediate
1053. At 2330 London Foreign Office telephoned British Ambassador to effect Yugoslav troops would pass through Morgan Line to French Line, and as for Trieste would enter and take position therein. He was instructed to repeat this report to Yugoslav Government referring to Article 1 Annex 7 of treaty and say that force would be met by force.1
As best he could understand his message, State Department had also been trying to reach me with this message.
At 0030 he delivered message to Acting Foreign Minister Velebit who made no comment. Meanwhile at 0025 his counselor reached me. At 0145 I got through to Velebit who offered to receive me out at his villa but said that Peake had given him written text of message and he meanwhile had obtained following information:
At Trieste Yugoslav troops had instructions to conform to treaty provision and avoid all incidents. I had to ask him twice about reported movement Yugoslav troops on French line, finally getting reply “that is correct and we have no reason not to take this action”. I said that was purpose our joint démarche 13th. He replied “well that was all we had and we made our own arrangements”.
Cannot phone Washington before morning if at all. As yet unable get Trieste. Sending this both cable and British radio signal.
Please pass to War.
- In telegram 4987, September 16, not printed, the Embassy in London reported that the British Foreign Office had made communication with Ambassador Peake and had directed him to make representations to the highest authority available (860S.00/9–1647).↩