868.00/951
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Murray)
The Greek Minister called on me on October 12th to deliver a formal communication10 notifying this Government of the restoration of a monarchy in Greece and the revival of the old Constitution of 1911.
I inquired of the Minister whether the National Assembly which recently convened in Athens was vested with sufficient authority to take the steps referred to above. He stated, in reply, that when the elections were held for the present Assembly action was not envisaged, but he declared that the Assembly in fact possessed authority [Page 502] to act as a Constituent Assembly and that therefore its action in restoring the monarchy and the Constitution of 1911 was perfectly legal according to Greek law. He declared, furthermore, that previous changes of régime in Greece had been effected in the absence of a national assembly of the present character. He expressed the view that the actual administration of the country would be exercised by Mr. Theotokis, who holds the portfolio of Foreign Affairs, and that General Kondylis, who has been vested for the time being with powers of a regent, was chosen for the purpose of giving stability and “front” to the Government.
- Not printed.↩