868.48/3280
The Department of State to the Greek Legation
Memorandum
Reference is made to the Greek Legation’s memorandum which was left with Mr. Welles by the Minister on August 13, 194254 with further reference to the request previously made that the United States Government extend the use of the facilities available to it to effect the remittance of $39,576.96 from this country to the Banque des Reglements Internationaux for the account of the International Red Cross for use by that organization in the purchase of supplies for relief in Greece.
As the Legation is aware, this Government has every sympathy for the plight of the Greek people and appreciates their great need for outside assistance. The exception to the blockade policy which has been made in favor of Greece in connection with the current relief scheme involving substantial shipments of breadstuffs and medicines from the Western Hemisphere to Greece is evidence of the sympathetic attitude of this Government and of the Governments associated with it in the war effort.
[Page 785]Note has been taken of the statement in the memorandum under reference that these shipments, though substantial, are far from securing the current needs of the Greek population and, therefore, that supplemental invoices from other countries are still urgent. The Department of State is obliged to point out, however, that the shipments referred to above are permitted passage through the blockade only as an exceptional measure and until the effect in Greece of the shipments now being made can be observed and evaluated, it will not be considered feasible to make further concessions of this character.
- Not printed.↩