File No. 868.00/86
The Minister in Greece (Droppers) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 12, 9 a. m.]
200. Your 160,1 December 8, 6 p. m. Protest neutral ministers recites friendship for Greece and unwillingness mix in internal [Page 84] affairs, but insists upon importance restoration of order by legal means. Allusion thereupon made to actions officers and soldiery who, evidently disregarding superior orders, entered and sacked domiciles, even of foreigners; fired recklessly in streets; and perpetrated cruelties peaceful persons.
Specific cases mentioned verbally: firing upon the hotel where our military attaché resides; upon the house occupied by Dutch Legation clerk; looting office of Spanish society; also numerous indiscriminate volleys in front of Legation building apparently in the hope of drawing fire from Venizelos’ house, and brutalities perpetrated upon persons arrested which are confirmed [by] various reliable sources. Pretext suppression Venizelists found in plot for armed rising Athens, which is believed or not according to party sympathies. Under cover of this allegation wholesale arrests, terrorism of Venizelists here. Though constitution guarantees liberty press, no paper that party has appeared since December 1.