3 April 1941
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Yugoslavia ordered final mobilization.
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(Because of failure of Italian peace move and departure of German and Italian legations. Times, April 4, 1941, p. 1. Cf. Mar. 27, supra.)
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3-4 April 1941
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The United States rejected German and Italian protests over the taking possession of the steamships Pauline Friedrich andArauca.
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(". . . the plain provisions of our statutes . . . made it a felony for the master or any other person in charge or command of a vessel, foreign or domestic, or for any member of the crew or other person, within the territorial waters of the United States, willfully to cause or permit the destruction or injury of such a vessel or to tamper with its motive power or instrumentalities of navigation; and . . . authorize the authorities of this Government to take possession and control of any vessel and to remove therefrom the officers and crew when such action is deemed to be necessary to protect the vessel from damage or injury or to prevent damage or injury to any harbor or waters of the United States." Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 93, p. 419.)
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4 April 1941
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Pro-Nazi military coup d'état in Iraq.
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(Said to have been provoked by continuous intervention. Times, Apr. 5, 1941, p. 2.)
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4 April 1941
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The United States asked withdrawal of Italian naval attaché
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("I have the honor to state that various facts and circumstances have come to the attention of the Government. of the United States connecting Admiral Alberto Lais, Naval Attaché of the Royal Italian Embassy, with the commission by certain persons of acts in violation of the laws of the United States." The President has reached the conclusion that the continued presence of Admiral Lais as Naval Attach of the Embassy would no longer be agreeable to this Government." Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 93, pp. 420 f.)
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5 April 1941
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Yugoslav-Russian treaty of friendship and nonaggression signed at Moscow.
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(". . . inspired by friendship existing between the two countries and convinced that preservation of peace forms their common interest, . . . " Times, Apr. 6, 1941, p. 1.)
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5 April 1941
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THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE MINISTER IN BULGARIA (EARLE)
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"In your discretion please use your good offices to the end that the Bulgarian Government may understand how support given acts of aggression against Yugoslavia is bound to be regarded in the United States." See doc.
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6 April 1941
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Germany, Italy, and Bulgaria attacked Yugoslavia.
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(" Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 130, pp. 554 f. Cf. Times, Apr. 6, 1941, p. 26. Cf. Mar. 27, Apr. 3, supra.) Official Yugoslav statement. ("The real reason for the German aggression is that Germany wanted Yugoslavia to depart from its position of neutrality she adopted in the European conflict since the beginning of the war. Unjustly attacked, Yugoslavia in defending herself against an aggressor is faithful to her history and national traditions and firmly resolved to defend her national independence, territorial integrity, and national honor. In answer to German allegations regarding the causes of this aggression, it is replied . . . that Germany is the aggressor State and Yugoslavia has done nothing against Germany." Times, Apr. 7, p. 5.)
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6 April 1941
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STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE
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"The barbaric invasion of Yugoslavia and the attempt to annihilate that country by brute force is but another chapter in the present planned movement of attempted world conquest and domination." See doc.
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6 April 1941
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ADOLF HITLER'S ORDER OF THE DAY CALLING FOR INVASION OF YUGOSLAVIA AND GREECE
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Berlin. " Since early this morning the German people are at war with the Belgrade government of intrigue. " See doc.
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7 April 1941
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Britain severed diplomatic relations with Hungary.
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("Hungary has become a base of operations against the Allies." Times, Apr. 8, 1941, p. 7. Cf. Nov. 20, 1940, supra.)
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8 April 1941
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Italy requested the withdrawal of American military attaché.
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(Cf. Apr. 4, supra. Bulletin, Vol. IV. No. 94, p. 453.)
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8 April 1941
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Vice President Henry. A. Wallace said America must assume responsibility for the peace.
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("We of the United States can no more evade shouldering our responsibility than a boy of eighteen can avoid becoming a man by wearing hort pants. . . . Peace will bring world-wide chaos unless the United States furnishes positive leadership." Times, Apr. 9, 1941, p. 18.)
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8 April 1941
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MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT TO KING PETER II OF YUGOSLAVIA
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"As I have assured Your Majesty's Government, the United States will speedily furnish all material assistance possible in accordance with its existing statutes." See doc.
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9 April 1941
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PRIME MINISTER WINSTON CHURCHILL REVIEWED THE WAR BEFORE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
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London, England. "We are now able, and indeed required, to take a more general view of the war than when this resolution of thanks was first conceived." See doc.
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9 April 1941
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United States-Danish agreement on defense of Greenland by the United States signed.
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( Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 94, p. 445. Cf. Peace, pp. 642 f. Cf. May 1, 1940, supra.)
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10 April 1941
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Hungary attacked Yugoslavia.
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(". . . in view of the participation of Bulgaria and Hungary in the attack against Yugoslavia perpetrated by the Axis Powers." Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 133, p. 555. Cf. Nov. 20, 1940, Apr. 6, supra.)
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10 April 1941
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President Roosevelt modified the Red Sea combat zone.
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(Sec. 3 (c) of, Public Res. 54 approved Nov. 4, 1939. "The President may from time to time modify or extend any proclamation issued under the authority of this section, and when the conditions which shall have caused him to issue any such proclamation shall have ceased to exist . . . " Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 94, p. 450.)
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10 April 1941
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THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE MINISTER IN PORTUGAL (FISH)
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"The President relies upon you to make clear to the military and civil leaders of the government and of public opinion in Portugal the scope of our national effort and determination to resist aggression." See doc.
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10 April 1941
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STATEMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE
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"The agreement, after explicitly recognizing the Danish sovereignty over Greenland, proceeds to grant to the United States the right to locate and construct airplane landing fields and facilities for the defense of Greenland and for the defense of the American Continent." See doc.
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10 April 1941
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JOINT RSOLUTION OF THE U.S. CONGRESS REAFFIRMING THE PRINCIPLES OF THE MONROE DOCTRINE
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Washington, D.C. " Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, (1) That the United States would not recognize any transfer, and would not acquiesce in any attempt to transfer, any geographic region of this hemisphere from one non-American power to another non-American power;. . . " See doc.
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12 April 1941
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Denmark repudiated agreement of April 9.
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(". . . without authorization from here, and contrary to the constitution, . . ." Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 95, p. 471.)
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13 April 1941
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Japanese-Russian five-year neutrality pact signed at Moscow with joint declaration regarding the frontiers of the Japanese protectorate of Manchukuo
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(". . . guided by a desire to strengthen peaceful and friendly relations between the two countries, . . ." Times, Apr. 14, 1941, p. 8. Cf. Japan, Vol. II, p. 186.)
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13 April 1941
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PACT OF NEUTRALITY BETWEEN UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS AND JAPAN
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" The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, guided by a desire to strengthen peaceful and friendly relations between the two countries, have decided to conclude a pact on neutrality, ..." See doc.
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13 April 1941
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POPE PIUS XII'S EASTER MESSAGE
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Vatican City. "In the lamentable spectacle of human conflict which We are now witnessing We acknowledge the valor and loyalty of all those who with a deep sense of duty are fighting for the defense and prosperity of their homeland." See doc.
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13 April 1941
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TEXT OF PRIME MINISTER WINSTON CHURCHILL'S MESSAGE TO THE YUGOSLAV PEOPLE
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"You are making a heroic resistance against formidable odds and in doing so you are proving true to your great traditions. Serbs, we know you. You were our allies in the last war and your armies are covered with glory. Croats and Slovenes, we know your military history." See doc.
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14 April 1941
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The United States continued to recognize Henrik Kauffmann as Minister of Denmark after his purported recall.
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(". . . you consider this action to have been taken under duress and to be invalid both from the point of view of Danish and of generally recognized common law, in view of the existing occupation of Denmark by German military forces. "My Government considers it to be the fact that the Government in Denmark in this respect is acting under duress, . . ." ( Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 95, p. 471. Cf. Apr. 12, supra.)
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15 April 1941
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Bulgaria severed diplomatic relations with Yugoslavia.
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(". . . in view of the unwarranted and unprovoked attacks on her territory" by Yugoslav air forces and foreign elements operating from Yugoslav bases." Times, Apr. 16, 1941, p. 3. Cf. Apr. 6, supra.)
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16 April 1941
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The United States presented four fundamental principles as foundation for international relations.
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"1. Respect for the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of each and all nations. 2. Support of the principle of noninterference in the internal affairs of other countries. 3. Support of the principle of equality, including equality of commercial opportunity. 4. Non-disturbance of the status quo in the Pacific except as their statusquo may be altered by peaceful means." (For basis of informal, exploratory discussions with Japan. Peace, p. 730. Cf.Japan, Vol. II, p. 407.)
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17 April 1941
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Yugoslav Army surrendered.
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(Capitulation. Times, Apr. 18, 1941, p. 1.)
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19 April 1941
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Britain sent troops to Iraq.
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(Under clause IV of the Anglo-Iraqi treaty: ". . . in the event of an imminent menace of war the contracting parties will immediately confer together on the necessary measures for defense. "The aid of the King of Iraq in event of war or imminent menace of war, will consist in furnishing to His Britannic Majesty, on Iraq territory, all facilities and assistance in his power, including the use of roads, rivers, ports, airdromes, and means of communications." Times, Apr. 20, 1941, p. 1. Cf. Apr. 4, supra.)
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20 April 1941
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President Roosevelt announced an exchange of defense articles with Canada
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(". . . measures by which the most prompt and effective utilization might be made of the productive facilities of North America for the purposes both of local and hemisphere defense and of the assistance which in addition to their own programs both Canada and the United States are rendering to Great Britain and the other democracies." Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 96, p. 494. Cf. Aug. 18, 1940, supra.)
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21 April 1941
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Greece signed armistice with Germany.
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("The armistice that has been signed with the Germans without authority appears to have been precipitated by exhaustion from an unequalled victorious struggle of six months and more. It is the result of crushing pressure exerted on our gallant army." Times, Apr. 24, 1941, p. 3. Cf. Ibid., p. 4.)
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22 April 1941
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Two thousand American troops arrived in Philippines.
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(Reinforcements. Times, Apr. 23, 1941, p. 13. Cf. Jan. 27, Feb. 25, supra.)
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22 April 1941
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STATEMENT OF YOSUKE MATSUOKA, JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER, UPON HIS RETURN TO TOKYO FROM EUROPE
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"We should not confuse deliberation with procrastination just as the Tripartite Pact does not affect the relations of the Three Powers vis-à-vis the Soviets so that the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact and the declaration do not affect in the least the Tripartite Pact which remains the immutable basis of our foreign policy." See doc.
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23 April 1941
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Greece severed diplomatic relations with Bulgaria.
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(After Bulgarian troops had occupied Thrace. Times, Apr. 24, 1941, p. 4,)
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23 April 1941
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Greece surrendered to Germany and Italy.
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("The High Command of the Greek Army in Epirus and Macedonia represented by General Tsolakoglou turns to the Italian High Command of Armed Forces in Albania and the High Command of German Forces in Greece to ask that unconditional surrender of the Greek Army in Epirus and Macedonia be accepted." Times, Apr. 24, 1941 p. 4.)
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24 April 1941
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Bulgaria declared state of war in those areas of Greece and Yugoslavia occupied by Bulgarian troops.
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(Cf. Apr. 15, 23, supra. Bulletin, Vol. V, No. 96, p. 555.)
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24 April 1941
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Australian detachments reinforced. Singapore.
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(To strengthen defenses against surprise from land or sea. Times, Apr. 25, 1941, p. 1. Cf. Feb. 16, supra.)
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24 APRIL 1941
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ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE AT WASHINGTON
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"Too many people assume that the present struggle is merely an ordinary regional war, and that when it comes to an end the side which is victorious will collect indemnities but otherwise leave the defeated nations more or less as they were before the conflict began." See doc.
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25 April 1941
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PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT'S STATEMENT ON THE WAR IN GREECE
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"Today, at a far more perilous period in the history of Hellas, we intend to give full effect to our settled policy of extending all available material aid to free peoples defending themselves against aggression. Such aid has been and will continue to be extended to Greece." See doc.
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26 April 1941
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China and the United States signed a monetary stabilization accord.
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("This is a cooperative agreement between friendly nations that are working together in many ways to preserve the basic freedoms. Apart from the obvious purposes of stabilizing the relationship between the currencies concerned, it will be an important factor in fostering the welfare of the participating countries." Ibid., Apr. 26, 1941, p. 7.)
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26 April 1941
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The Inter-American Financial and Economic Advisory Committee passed resolution recognizing right of the republics to requisition foreign flag vessels in their ports.
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(Bulletin, Vol. IV, No. 97, p. 531.)
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27 April 1941
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PRIME MINISTER WINSTON CHURCHILL'S BROADCAST "REPORT ON THE WAR"
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"I was asked last week whether I was aware of some uneasiness which, it was said, existed in the country on account of the gravity, as it was described, of the war situation. So I thought it would be a good thing to go and see for myself what this uneasiness amounted to." See doc.
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