SiebenbuÌˆrgisch-Amerikanisches Volksblatt. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1917-1971, 1941-04-17

November 1899 at the wish of the
Yugoslav government and the
general staff the liaison was
drawn closer by the dispatch to
France of a special military mis-.
sion and the appointment to Bel
grade of an officer of General Ga.
melins staff.
During the first months of the
war as is irrefutably established
l'y the documents found, Yugo-
slavias attitude was character
ICED by as extensive support as
possible of the transports for
England and France and further
in an active exchange of news
with these powers although a
semblance OF neutrality was pre-
served.
On April Is, 1910, the French
minister to Belgrade had a con-
versation with the minister for
war. Nedich. on the subject of
the opening OF military discus
sionS. Yugoslavia dispatched a
particularly trustworthy liasion
officer to the headquarters OF the
commander in chief of the French
expeditionarv army in the Le-
want. The Salonika operation was
thus sure of Yugoslavian sup
port. Even after Frances collapse
competent Yugoslav authorities
assured the French minister in
Belgrade on the llth of June
1910 that it things should take a
turn for the better as far as
France was concerned Yugosla-
via was prepared Immediately to
ioin hands with her.
The documents speak for them
selves. Whilst every attempt
made by Germany since the out
break OF war had been directed to
a localization of the war and Ger
many had done everything to
spare the Balkans the horrors OF
war. Yugoslavia had made sem
blance Of pursuing the policy Of
collaboration with Germany but
lad secretly at that time already
quite clearly taken up position
on the side Of Germanys enemys.
In spite of her knowledge of these
events and trusting that she
would be- able to lead back Vugo-
slavian policy to the path OF COM
mon sense. namely to that of an
understanding with the axis. Ger
many has continued her policy OF
Conciliation with Yugoslavia with
a magnanimity and patience
which are unparalleled.
Attemps were continually made
by Germany and Italy to con-
vince the Yugoslavian govern.
ment OF the expediency OF last,
ing understanding and collabora.
tion with the axis powers. This
policy eliminated in the invita-.
ton to Yugoslavia to adhere te
the three-power pact.
The contents OF the agree.
ments reached in Vienna were as
follows:
| !. The recognition of the
sovereignty and the integrety o.
the Nugoslavian state by the part
ners in the three-power-pact.
2. The assurance by the axis
powers that the marching OF
transport of troops through Yu
goslavia as we'll as any form O
military support during this wa,
should not be demanded of Yu
goslavia.
3. The assurance that withir
the framework of the new Euro
pean order Yugoslavia would re
ceive an outlet to the Aegean
Sea which at the particular wish
of the Yugoslavian government
should territorially include Yugo
slavian sovereignty over the towr
and harbor of Salonika.
In contrast to these farreach
ing .ances the Yugoslaviar
state had not to undertake any
thing but loyal collaboration with
the European powers in the re-
organization OF our continent.
| For - it must here be stated
categorically - in inviting Yugc
slavia to join the three powe,