124.68/58

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Murray)

The Greek Minister24 called on me on May 13 to inquire whether the Department had in mind sending a diplomatic representative, as soon as possible, to Crete to be near the King and the Greek Government, [Page 743] which has fled there since the occupation of Greece. I told the Minister that we were now giving the matter careful consideration and were endeavoring, as a first step, to get in touch with Mr. MacVeagh, who is still in Athens. I explained that it had been our intention, and also that of Mr. MacVeagh, to follow the King if and when it became necessary for the Sovereign and the Greek Government to leave Athens but that, owing to physical difficulties of transportation and travel, Mr. MacVeagh had not been able, as yet, to reach the present seat of the Greek Government. As soon as we are able to establish contact with the Minister and ascertain his plans and intentions, I said, we contemplated instructing him to send a member of his staff to Crete in case he found it impracticable to proceed there himself. I added that from present indications it would be necessary for an officer to proceed from Athens through Sofia and Istanbul to Cairo and to fly from there.

The Minister inquired whether he might inform his Government in the above sense, and I said I saw no objection.

  1. Cimon P. Diamantopoulos.