File No. 763.72/9680

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Greece ( Droppers)

[Telegram]

429. On April 4 Venizelos addressed to the President a message of congratulation on the anniversary of the entrance of the United States into the war.1 The President replied on April 5 as follows:

May I not acknowledge with the deepest appreciation your generous message and convey through you to the oldest of the western nations the fraternal greetings of the young Republic of the West, at the same time expressing our confidence that the valor and devotion of the armies of Greece will play an important and distinguished part in the final triumph. May I not also convey to you personally my own cordial assurances of friendship and tell you of the warm admiration your unselfish devotion to the cause of liberty has excited among our people.

Through the French Ambassador the Greek Minister in Washington asks whether this Government could say anything further as to the future of Greece. Without a formal communication to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, you may await a suitable occasion to give publicity to the following:

The people of the United States view with great admiration the unselfishness and courage with which the Greek people, animated by that love of liberty and devotion to right which they have inherited from a long line of heroic ancestors, are fighting to preserve the freedom for which their patriotic forefathers valiantly fought.

Claiming similar ideals and moved by the same principles of right and justice, the Government and people of the United States are determined that the fullest possible measure of assistance shall be rendered to Greece and that her integrity shall be preserved and her rights secured in any final negotiations for peace that shall take place.

Lansing
  1. Ante, p. 196.