740.0011 European War 1939/7240: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5 p.m.]
5136. The Greek Minister here was recently approached by an unofficial but authorized German in regard to the Italo-Greek conflict. It was pointed out to the Minister that the defeat of England was a certainty within the next few months, Greece would then have to accept any terms imposed by Italy. At present a German mediation asked for by Greece could result in an honorable and even advantageous peace for Greece. Germany would not fail to weigh favorably to Greece its fine military accomplishments. As to procedure it was suggested that the Minister recommend that his Government request one of its neighbors, either Yugoslavia or Turkey, to lay before the German Government a Greek request for German mediation. The Minister rejected this proposal observing that a victorious nation does not ask for mediation and stating his belief that the successful resistance of Greece to the Italian attack had served the interest of Germany itself by eliminating Italian pretentions to a political overlordship in the Balkans which would eventually embarrass Germany’s plans in this part of Europe. In the event of England’s defeat the Minister felt confident that the Führer would take into consideration this fact together with his admiration of Greek spirit and culture to forbid Italy to impose any harsh terms. The Minister indeed felt that Greece would be allowed to retain the Greek inhabited portions of South Albania to which she has an ethnological ground and which her armies are conquering no matter which side wins.
Above message would have been repeated to Athens if records showed that they had this code.