File No. 763.72111/4297
The Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs (Zalocostas) to the American Minister in Greece (Droppers)
[Left at the Department of State by the Greek Chargé, December 2.]
Mr. Minister: From the beginning of the European war, the Hellenic Government, conscious of its duties as a defender of national interests and of its responsibility to the country, had, upon thorough examination of the situation, concluded that Greece should not take part in the sanguinary struggle in which nearly all Europe had just [Page 76] engaged. The Hellenic Government, while remaining neutral, always had it in view to depart from that policy should it at any time gain the conviction that, no matter how great the sacrifices and angers, a war would best subserve our national aspirations.
We have unfortunately found it impossible up to this day to obtain the guarantees necessary to save Greece, if she should join in the European conflict, from unavoidable destruction. In remaining neutral, the Hellenic Government had in mind Hellenic interests only, and not, as insistent attempts have been made to represent it, sympathies with one of the two belligerent groups. The geographical situation of Greece, which puts her in more direct contact with one of the two groups of belligerent powers, makes it very difficult strictly to observe her policy, that being the reason why she had to submit to the occupation of her Macedonian provinces by foreign armies and allow the belligerents to use her islands, ports, public buildings, and works of art. Roads and railways have been forcibly occupied; at other places bridges and tunnels worth many millions have been utterly destroyed. At the time when the present Hellenic Government took up the power, an imposing fleet blockaded the entrance to the Salamis Straits, the anchorage of the Greek fleet, and, in spite of our protests and emphatic refusals, we were compelled to order our crews off the ships of the light squadron so as to spare them the grief of surrendering the ships on which, not long ago, they took part in two victorious wars. For about a month the Greek people have been witnessing, in legitimate anguish, the operation of nearly all their public departments, land communications, posts, telegraphs and telephones under foreign supervision. The Greek merchant marine is hampered in its activities by repeated searches and all sorts of restrictions; for a long time past Greece has been permitted to import from abroad only what she strictly needs for food, illumination, and the supply of necessary motive power to her land and sea trade. Quite recently the traditional hospitality of the Greek people was subjected to an encroachment which was deeply resented.
The right of the stronger has been constantly maintained against the legitimate protests of Greece, yet she has heretofore borne everything, exhibiting the perseverance and dignity which small nations possess in the highest degree. But the last demand of the admiral in command of the Entente naval forces in the Mediterranean, calling upon the Hellenic Government to surrender the war material acquired at tremendous sacrifice, and which to the mind of the Greek people can only be used for the defense of national interest, that demand, I say, is one of those which the people, their constitutional chiefs, the army and navy unanimously reject. The Hellenic Government, strong in support of the whole nation, has rejected and will reject that last demand which deeply wounded the Greek soul and is a serious invasion of the sovereign rights of the country. Greece cannot part with her arms and forego future defense against possible danger.
I have deemed it my duty to lay before you, Mr. Minister, a very frank statement of the very trying situation in which Greece is now placed in order to enable you to enlighten your Government and public opinion in your country on the subject. The Hellenic Government wishes the neutral nations to realize that the spirit of conciliation [Page 77] and equity it has exhibited has not availed to spare the Hellenic people the grave vicissitudes their country is now experiencing. We are not strong enough to escape them, for they are the inevitable result of Greece’s geographic situation and of the conflicting interests of the belligerent great powers. Nevertheless, Greece, fortified by the righteousness of her cause, is not dispirited but is confident, in spite of all, that she will emerge from the present crisis weakened but unscathed, and ready to reconstitute her forces for the consummation of her duty to Hellenism.
I do not doubt, Mr. Minister, that you will under these trying circumstances extend to me the support I beseech of you. I am convinced of the sympathetic interest you take in the affairs of our country and I may assure you that this is an invaluable conviction for the Hellenic Government and the Greek people in the midst of the ordeals they are undergoing.
Be pleased [etc.]