740.0011 European War 1939/8763: Telegram

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

114. The Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs requested me this morning to ask you in strict confidence whether, in case Greece should find it necessary to sever diplomatic relations with Rumania and Bulgaria, the United States would be disposed to undertake representation of Greek interests in those countries.

Regarding Greco-German relations the Under Secretary said these still remain ostensibly normal and that he expects demands of some sort will be made through diplomatic channels before any break occurs. He said that a portion of public opinion here especially in business circles might tend to favor compliance with such demands, but that it is not organized and that the army will hold firm. He has now practically abandoned the idea that Germany’s occupation of Bulgaria may be only defensively designed (see my telegram 84, February 21, 12 noon).

MacVeagh