860H.01/870: Telegram
The Counselor of Embassy in the United Kingdom (Bucknell) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 19—5:40 p.m.]
4046. King Peter yesterday dismissed the Puric government. Foreign Office says that it has very little information as to the personalities who may be included in the new Yugoslav Government, but it is quite certain that the Ban of Croatia will play a prominent part, in its formation. It is probable that he will be Prime Minister. Mihailovic definitely will not be included in the new government. The Foreign Office says this will be very small in number and that it will represent a break with the former associations, although it may be necessary to take in one or two of the older politicians as there is [Page 1374] nobody else available. The Foreign Office believes that a conciliatory gesture will be made to Tito. All is in the hands of King Peter, on whom the final decisions rest.
The Embassy will report further developments.