868.248/141
Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Murray) to the Under Secretary of State (Welles)
Mr. Welles: Referring to the latest development in the matter of the thirty Grumman planes for Greece, set forth in my memorandum of March 22, last, the Greek Minister informed me this morning that according to information received from Vice Air Marshal Slessor the thirty Hurricane planes promised to Greece in lieu of the thirty Grumman planes have already been delivered in Greece. The Greek Minister has, however, taken the precaution to telegraph his Government requesting confirmation of this information. As soon as a reply is received he will communicate with me, and I shall thereupon, in accordance with your suggestion, immediately seek an opportunity to discuss the matter with you.
The steps which you have already taken with the Secretary of the Navy in this matter to withhold action until you have given him “the green light” are exceedingly helpful, and it now seems possible that the matter can be smoothed out without too great difficulty.