868.002/82: Telegram
The Chargé in Greece (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 13—9:40 a.m.]
49. Legation’s 44, March 9, 10 p.m. Papanastasiou assumed office today as Prime Minister, temporarily Minister for Foreign Affairs and temporarily Minister of Finance; General Condylis, Minister of War; and Captain Iakyriakos [Hadjihyriahos], Minister of Marine. Former Minister of Public Assistance has been replaced by Pazis from Macedonia. New government represents military democrats and its alleged policy is to declare Gliicksburg dynasty dethroned by vote of National Assembly and to declare a republic to be approved by a plebiscite. It is very much doubted locally whether the new government after having assumed the responsibility and accomplishing the formation of a republic will be permitted to continue long in office by its many strong political opponents.
Subsequent to the resignation of Cafandaris on March 8th and the attendant failure of all Venizelos policies and attempts at a last minute compromise with republicans, Venizelos left Greece for France on March 10th with consequent disintegration of his prestige and influence.