868.00/842

Memorandum by the Under Secretary of State

The Greek Minister6 made his first call upon me this afternoon. After the preliminary exchange of courtesies I remarked that he would find his country had a great many friends throughout the United States, friends in all walks of life; that this was not only in view of our delight in the ancient history of Greece, but because there was a very deep sympathy in this country for the Greek people and a real desire to see their country prosperous and happy. It was not unnatural, therefore, that the present trend of events in Greece was being followed closely. Speaking purely personally, I sincerely hoped that nothing would be done by his Government to shock the many friends of Greece over here. It would be a pity, in my opinion, for his country to lose any of the genuine sympathy and friendship of Greek admirers in this country. I said that I was speaking purely personally and not for the Government, but that I, too, was watching events closely and with a vivid interest.

The Minister replied that he was very glad that I had spoken to him and that he would be very happy to convey the substance of my remarks to his Government, making it clear that they were sent as a purely personal expression of opinion. The Minister then went on to express his belief that the present Government would act with moderation. He described his last interview with the present Prime Minister, during which the latter had said that he would on no account “have any blood on his hands.” Certain events had transpired since then which seemed to have upset the Prime Minister’s calculation, but the Minister hoped fervently that there would be no further executions.

William Phillips
  1. Demetrios Sicilianos.