868.01/390
Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State ( Berle ) to the Secretary of State
You will recall that a group of representatives of the political parties remaining in Greece have reached Cairo and have requested that the King agree not to return to Greece until the Greek people have had a chance to determine the regime under which they wish to form a government. The British apparently feel that the King should return to Greece immediately on liberation; to the extent that we assume responsibility there, we feel otherwise, believing that it might create both a political and a military problem. Should the King accept the advice which these representatives from Greece have given him, the question will of course be closed. The Greek Ambassador has informed us that the Tsouderos government has accepted this advice, and has made representations to the King in that sense.
It is evident that the Greek language press in the United States in the main favors the non-return of the King. A large majority of Americans of Greek ancestry are violently anti-monarchist and Venizelist. The Greek National Herald, in Chicago [New York], which has the largest circulation of any Greek paper, is campaigning in that sense; and they may very well make a political issue of it in the elections in the United States.
It seems to me, accordingly, that we would wish to be very cautious about committing ourselves to the line which the British apparently wish to follow. You may wish to consider this a little further with the President and Mr. Churchill during this coming visit.