868.00/340: Telegram

The Chargé in Greece ( Caffery ) to the Secretary of State

[Paraphrase]

183. Upon receipt of Department’s 84 of December 1, I acted at once as directed. Foreign Minister said that your disinterested advice was appreciated; that American opinion about the executions gave the authorities much concern; and that any action which might further alienate American public sentiment would be avoided.

There have since been released some persons who had been imprisoned in order to curb their political activities before the coming elections …

But the truth is, nevertheless, that the chief political enemies of Venizelos have all been put to death, and that groups of Venizelist officers in Athens now control the country.

Official disapproval of the executions has been expressed by practically all my colleagues, who are maintaining an attitude of great reserve in their relations with the Foreign Office.

Caffery