123 L 36/159: Telegram
The Chargé in Greece (Atherton) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 16—4:02 p.m.]
63. Department’s number 45, April 15, 6 p.m.8 General belief new regime will be immediately recognized. However, my colleagues are asking instructions for reply to Foreign Office note just received by all Legations stating that on March 25th the National Assembly voted: first, the dethronement of the Glücksburg dynasty and, second, establishment of a republic which latter has been ratified by a plebiscite. Note ends
“The new regime in Greece having thus taken definite form Admiral Coundouriotis by decree dated April 14th has just been designated Provisional President of the Republic until formal election of a President which will be carried out according to the constitutional method to be elaborated by the constitutional assembly.”
I request instructions.
National Assembly is not scheduled to meet until early May and it seems impossible that with the constitutional changes contemplated, including the creation of a senate, an elected president could be inaugurated before late summer.
[Page 272]A new Italian Minister, Brambilla, is due the end of this month but the Italian Legation is without information as to his letters of credence.
- Not printed.↩