File No. 763.72/3077
Note of the Greek Government in reply to the ultimatum of the Entente powers
[Left at the Department of State by the Greek Chargé, December 18, 1916.]
Desirous of giving once more manifest evidence of the sentiments of sincere friendship which have ever animated it toward the powers, the Royal Government accedes to the two demands contained in their note of yesterday. It has already issued orders for the transfer of troops and war material, indicated in the technical note, Annex A, to the ultimatum of the powers, to begin this very day and be carried on as rapidly as possible in accordance with the said technical note. No troops have been moved northward. All shipments of war material in that direction will be stopped forthwith.
As for the question of reparation for the unfortunate incidents which unexpectedly took place between the Allied troops and the Greek forces, while referring to the declarations formulated in its memorandum of day before yesterday’s date which already bear witness to its utmost willingness to proceed toward every legitimate satisfaction, the Royal Government expresses the hope that the Entente powers will reconsider their decision to continue the blockade of the Greek coasts and islands, which weighs heavily on the relations between the Allied Governments and Greece and affects public opinion in the country, and convince themselves that the safest guaranty for the removal of any future misunderstanding is secured by the earnest and most sincere desire of the Royal Government and Greek people to witness at the earliest possible date a confirmation of the traditional excellent relations with the four powers and of a close friendship based on confidence in one another.