Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The British Commonwealth, The Soviet Union, The Near East and Africa, Volume III

740.0011 European War 1939/6661: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Greece (MacVeagh)

Washington, November 16, 1940—9 p.m.

263. Your 299, November 12, 5 p.m. In view of the Greek Government’s statement, a proclamation declaring the neutrality of the United States in the war between Greece and Italy⁵⁰ is being issued today. If you consider it desirable you may inform the Greek Government that this action has followed the official confirmation by Greece of the state of war, and that similar action has been taken in respect to the other belligerents as they have become involved. You may state that the proclamation is to be construed in no way as being an indication of any lessening of the sympathy of this Government for Greece in its present conflict with Italy.

Welles

50. Department of State Bulletin, November 16, 1940, p. 426.