767.68119/203: Telegram
The Special Mission at Lausanne23 to the Secretary of State
[Received November 25—4:23 p.m.]
20. We have received a request from Venizelos to support a plea he is ready to make for the release of an alleged hundred thousand males, chiefly Greeks, now alleged to be detained by the Turks. Venizelos bases his plea on the ground that the males must join their families in order to support the women and children and thus solve general relief problem. He says that this is necessary for the reduction of relief expenses to which generous contributions have been made by America. The suggestion is made from other Greek and British sources that contributions from America in the form of direct relief have a tendency to keep the refugees in a continuing condition of helplessness. It is suggested, therefore, that a loan be made to Greece with possibly a commission in charge of its expenditure. On the second point we have indicated that we would inquire as to the views, if any, of the Department.
- Child
- Grew
- The Ambassador in Italy (Child) and the Minister in Switzerland (Grew) had been instructed to be present at Lausanne as observers during the sessions of the conference for negotiating peace between the Allies and Turkey.↩