868.01/515: Telegram
The Ambassador to the Greek Government in Exile (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 27—9:45 a.m.]
Greek 130. My Greek No. 128, April 24, 6 p.m.50 Papandreou was sworn in as Prime Minister late this afternoon. He is not attempting to form a regular government but is asking various Ministers to serve as temporary Under-Secretaries.
A member of the British Embassy is leaving tomorrow for Syria to make arrangements for the long conference which will form the Government of National Unity and it is hoped that all the representatives will have arrived in the Middle East by the end of next week. It is not yet clear how many parties and organizations will be individually represented or in most cases who will represent them but it appears certain the EAM is sending Colonel Saraphis and one Stratis and that Svolos51 is coming for the political committee.
Word has just been received from Port Said that only the cruiser Averoff is still causing trouble by the refusal of its crew to surrender (my Greek No. 129 April 25, 7 p.m.52). In an effort to avoid violence the ship is being subjected to a “battle of nerves”, its food supplies have been cut off and it is hoped that it may be reduced shortly.