462.00R296/4214: Telegram
The Minister in Greece (Skinner) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received June 30—7:49 p.m.]
25. Department’s telegram number 18, June 29, 8 p.m. I have discussed Department’s telegram with Mr. Venizelos who replied by stating that he can not accept any arrangement which leaves his budget without cover. He discovers no reason why Czechoslovakia should not pay Greece 1,758,000 marks which are neither war debt nor reparations and which represent values of actual property which she acquired. He must have assurances from Bulgaria that since Bulgaria is to profit by postponement of payments amounting to 10,000,000 marks Greece shall be relieved of payments under Cafandaris-Molloff Agreement7 amounting to 3,794,000 marks. Finally it is essential that Canada shall definitely agree to postponement of payment from Greece of 2,368,099 gold marks. If these three points can be cleared up satisfactorily Greece will be happy to accept President’s proposals without further question but failing that she must with regret decline to adopt them. Cannot the Department discreetly ascertain willingness of Canada to agree to postponement of Greek payments? For various reasons Mr. Venizelos is unwilling to consult present Government of Bulgaria but would it not be possible for me to correspond on the Bulgarian and Czechoslovakian items with American Ministers at Sofia and Prague through them ascertaining attitude of those Governments provided of course Department prefers to abstain from discussions of this sort.