765.68/280: Telegram

The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State

3713. There has been scant reference in the German press to Italo-Greek relations since the transmission of my 3581, August 17, 4 p.m.21 and the inference is being drawn that not only is the German Government refraining from published expression on this subject but may also be counseling moderation in Rome.

Following the accentuated press campaign in Italy against Greece, certain interested diplomats took occasion last week to inquire at the Foreign Office here in regard to the German view as to the gravity of the situation and gained the impression then that action on the part of Italy was not felt to be imminent. During the first days of the present week the Greek Government, alarmed by the reports of Italian troop concentrations on the Albanian border, caused an inquiry to be made in Berlin as to whether the German Government believed that Italy meant war and it is assumed that this information was sought by the Greek Government in order to determine the question [Page 537] of ordering general mobilization which it was feared might furnish a pretext to Italy to attack.

Up to the present it is understood no reply to the foregoing has been forthcoming. In certain well-informed but unofficial German circles it is stated that Italy has decided to take Corfu, Northern Epirus, certain of the islands and Salonika, and it is also advocated that Greece denounce the pact with England although such an act might precipitate the seizure of Greek ports by England. Although it is asserted that Germany would prefer that Greece remain unmolested it is acknowledged that at the present time Italy could not be successfully opposed by Germany even if it wished to and that the German Government would find it necessary to accept as an accomplished fact whatever action Italy might take against Greece.

Kirk
  1. Not printed.