740.00119 European War 1939/191: Telegram
The Minister in Yugoslavia (Lane) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:56 p.m.]
370. Press of yesterday and today gives great prominence to the peace initiative of the President and the Pope13 but does not give editorial comment.
A high Foreign Office official stated to me this evening that the Yugoslav Government, being neutral, welcomes any peace initiative especially when a disinterested country as the United States is associated therewith. He expressed the opinion that if Italy would associate itself with the initiative there would be a greater possibility of success owing to the effect upon the countries in Southeastern Europe.
Repeated to Rome.
- Reference is to President Roosevelt’s letter of December 23, 1939, to Pope Pius XII, indicating his intention to send a personal representative to Rome in order that parallel endeavors for peace and the alleviation of suffering might be assisted. For text of letter, see vol. ii , section concerning the Vatican.↩