868.48/3264: Airgram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 15—2 p.m.]
A–105. Greek Series from Biddle. With reference to Department’s telegram Greek Series No. 7, September 4, 11 p.m.,42 regarding relief food shipments for Greece, Prime Minister Tsouderos, in note of September 8, requests me to convey to you following account of situation:
“As is known, the solution of the problem of supplying the bare necessities in the way of foodstuffs to the starving population of Greece was based on securing the despatch of some elementary foods, indispensable for the maintenance of the people, such as (a) a certain proportion of the population’s wheat requirements, and (b) a small quantity of pulses by means of which the popular feeding-centres prepare a little hot food to accompany the ration of bread. The question of the wheat has entered a favourable phase, thanks to the fact that the scheme for regular shipments in Swedish vessels has begun to be applied. On the other hand, the question of the pulses, which during last winter had been more or less solved by means of shipments from Turkey, has since a few months ago been faced with a fresh and insuperable difficulty in the aggravation of the food situation in Turkey. Exports from Turkey were attended by progressively greater difficulties. The articles of food exported began to be restricted, during the last voyages of the Turkish steamship Dumlupinar the cargoes consisted mainly of dried fruits, the value of course, far less than that of pulses. Finally, some time ago the Turkish Government, faced by its own difficulties, declared that it would be compelled to discontinue the Dumlupinar’s voyages. It was only as a result of persistent efforts on the part of the British that permission for these voyages to be [Page 776] continued was obtained, though no undertaking was given as to the duration of this permission, with the consequence that through the progressive deterioration of the food situation in Turkey we are threatened with the possibility of the suppression of the voyages at any moment.
“But a particularly serious aspect of the matter is that the quality even of the small quantities still being despatched from Turkey to Greece has fallen to such a degree that some of these foodstuffs are imperilling the consumers’ health. According to information of an absolutely confidential nature which has reached us from various reliable sources, some of the food carried during the latest voyages of the Dumlupinar was in a state of utter decomposition. Naturally responsibility for this can in no way be laid either to the Turkish or the Allied competent authorities, to whom we are ever grateful for their truly indefatigable endeavours. It is clear that it is due to the prevailing condition of the market and its restricted resources. Nevertheless it would be a tragic matter if these damaged foodstuffs, so far from bringing relief, were to aggravate the health of the Greek population, whose systems are already enduring such a strain.
“It should be noted that our requests for foodstuffs other than wheat are extremely modest. We have given express instructions to our Embassy at Washington to concentrate all their efforts on securing the despatch of pulses and, indeed, that any such despatch should entail a proportionate reduction in the shipments of wheat; in this way additional transport facilities would not be required. It is necessary to stress the fact that the available stocks of pulses in Turkey are exhausted, and that every attempt at obtaining these articles from other countries in the Middle East has met with an absolute refusal on the part of the blockade authorities. Pulses however as well as an adequate quantity of milk or milk products for the salvation of the imperilled children, must be considered, from a purely humanitarian point of view, as indispensable for even an elementary relief of the sufferings of the Greek population. If wheat alone is available without the above vital nourishment, it is to be feared that we shall have to face new tragedies.
“We address to you, Mr. Ambassador, a fervent request that you be so good as to communicate the above facts to your Government at your earliest convenience. We are making a similar request to the British Government since, as you state in your letter No. 67, the latter is in touch with the Department of State, respecting this matter.
“It is our firm conviction that the American Government which has always shown so lively and deep a concern for the suffering population of Greece, will on this occasion also take the necessary steps to ensure a regular and unhampered shipment to Greece of a minimum quantity of the foodstuffs necessary for the bare maintenance of life among the population.”
Not repeated to Ankara. [Biddle.]