Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1941, Europe, Volume II

740.0011 European War 1939/9120: Telegram

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

Athens, March 17, 1941—5 p.m.
[Received March 18—6:20 a.m.]

145. The Greek Army authorities consider the recent series of Italian attacks as a serious offensive which they maintain virtually came to an end on the 15th of March. They say it covered a fairly wide front, used many new troops and was supported during the final 2 days by at least 300 planes over the Greek front lines all to no purpose. Greek morale remains high.

The Political Director of the Foreign Office told me this morning that no demands of any kind have yet been made by Germany. The Greek Government is aware that German troops continue to move south through Bulgaria and regards an ultimatum and attack as possible now at any moment but “each day’s delay is so much gained for Greece.” This delay is variously interpreted here as owing to a new spell of severe weather and to Germany’s failure so far to make satisfactory arrangements with Yugoslavia.

The President’s Saturday night speech⁴⁸ has had an outstandingly enthusiastic reception here both privately and in the press.

MacVeagh

48. Address by President Roosevelt at the annual dinner of the White House Correspondent’s Association, Washington, March 15, 1941; for text, see Department of State Bulletin, March 15, 1941, p. 277. For message from King George II of Greece, March 17, regarding the President’s address, and the President’s reply, March 24, see ibid., March 29, 1941, p. 374.