740.0011 European War 1939/6493: Telegram
The Minister in Rumania (Gunther) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:14 p.m.]
705. My 695, November 1, 10 a.m. and paragraph 1 my 698, November 1, 5 p.m.46 Since the Italian attack on Greece I have been impressed with the importance which persons in this country, one in particular, well versed in Balkan problems, attach to the following view. I believe the view which I interpret herewith worth considering and even expounding in the proper British quarters.
- 1.
- Even two divisions of British troops on the Greco-Italian front might turn the tide for the Greeks and result in a major disaster for the Italians far from their base and surrounded by a population which could easily turn exceedingly hostile at the first sign of real weakness. Simultaneous bombing of Durazzo and other Albanian ports would probably also be helpful.
- 2.
- Or a major disaster in Albania might have the most serious repercussions politically and socially in Italy.
On the other hand should the British be inclined to establish themselves in Salonika with its forlorn memories of the last war this might: (a) result in a general Balkan conflagration which would seem to be what the British want notwithstanding the great advantages enjoyed by Germany in such an event as the Germans would have to attack and it is doubtful whether British forces in sufficient number could be sent and maintained; (b) should the British be unable to hold or make ground all the Balkans would swing inevitably to the Axis and even Greece and Yugoslavia would probably go.
Whereas if the Italians were defeated first: (1) the Axis would be weakened and might even be dissolved by a separate peace; (2) Balkan resistance to German penetration would receive a new impulse; (3) the magnificent Greek resistance to date is buoyed up by hopes of real assistance from England. Should this fail Greece would probably go the way of other small countries. The parallel is already being made here of Norway with Yugoslavia in the role of Sweden.
- Neither printed.↩