868.00/832: Telegram
The Minister in Greece ( MacVeagh ) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 23—5:11 p.m.]
55. In contradiction to what seemed the Government’s policy of leniency, a court martial has now condemned to death two Generals, namely, Papoulas, Chief of Republican Defense who once was strong royalist but changed and in 1922 gave information against the six Ministers shot at that time, and Kimissis who was also involved. Neither was apparently deeply implicated in present revolt and the verdict would thus seem chiefly one of vengeance.
I am confidentially informed that, acting on standing instructions to urge moderation in present emergency, the British and French Legations yesterday intervened with Foreign Minister who requested that they keep their intervention secret from the press. The President may commute sentence and his decision is expected tonight.
Papanastasiou, Caphandaris, Mylonas and Gonatas3 went on trial today. Should the Department wish me to join my British and French colleagues in urging moderation in the event that the policy of imposing the death penalty is extended to cover important figures it would be well to instruct me now as under military law execution follows rapidly upon sentence.
- Greek political leaders. Papanastasiou, Caphandaris and Gonatas were former Premiers. Mylonas had held Cabinet positions.↩