740.00/471: Telegram
The Minister in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 28—2:55 p.m.]
57. Department’s circular telegram September 27, 4 p.m. The Prime Minister confirmed to me this morning that in case of a European war this country desires to remain neutral and added that it could not depart from this attitude without consultation with its Balkan [Page 76] allies and Turkey which he said also desires to remain neutral. The Prime Minister was pessimistic about the possibility of averting war in Central Europe but inclined to think that Italy would find some way at the last moment of staying out. If she does not the problem of Greece’s [neutrality?] will become a very difficult one on account of her harbors.
My British colleague told me the other day that if war breaks out Greece “will have to give us the use of her harbors”. On the other hand the Prime Minister said this morning “I do not know the English plans but if England has to fight Italy she will certainly never force us to provide her with bases against that country without first finding some means of protecting us, for this would be to require an intolerable sacrifice and expose us to immediate death”. I asked “From the air” and he replied “Certainly from the air”.
In case hostilities do not involve Italy protection of American citizens should not be too difficult although this office will receive an additional burden as clearing house for evacuation of Americans coming from Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Rumania, and Turkey and even Czechoslovakia. Consequently the most urgent problem will be passenger facilities on steamships leaving for the United States. If this situation becomes critical I may later request Department to arrange for American Export cargo boats to carry passengers in addition to express liners.
However should Italy enter, communications from Greece would probably be cut off. Americans then here could be protected from actual physical danger by removal to suburbs and provinces but food, medicines and other supplies would soon become very scarce.
For past 10 days consular officers have advised inquiring Americans to return home if they have no compelling reasons for remaining.