868.151/120a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Greece (MacVeagh)
42. Ulen and Company has informed the Department that Greek Government is threatening to seize Company’s assets in Greece if [Page 511] Company does not refund by July 13th approximately $100,000 claimed by Government as payment to Company in excess of amounts due it under waterworks construction contract. Company states that sum in question was received in partial payment of extra fees for supplemental work undertaken and completed in agreement with Government and that instead of having been overpayed approximately $100,000 Government still owes it approximately $45,000 in the form of extra fees for supplemental work.
Unless another course of action recommends itself to you please request personal interview with the Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs28 and inform him that Company has replied to demand for restitution of sum in question by letter mailed from New York June 29th; that Gausmann29 will arrive in Athens about July 30 empowered to seek settlement; and that it is the hope of both this Government and the Company that an amicable settlement can be arrived at within the framework of the contract. You may in your discretion add that this Government would, in the light of its present understanding of the case, take a serious view of arbitrary action at this time by the Greek Government prejudicial to the Company’s interest.
Please submit telegraphic report.