868.01/8—1044: Telegram
The Chargé Near the Greek Government in Exile (Shantz) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 12—10:22 a.m.]
Greek 249. Early this week the British Embassy received and transmitted to the Greek Government a message from the British Government reiterating its confidence in Papandreou and insisting that it could not agree to his resignation.
Following a Cabinet discussion yesterday, Venizelos,9 with, he states, the full assent of Papandreou, handed to the British Embassy a telegram for transmission to the Political Committee on behalf of himself, Mylonas, Rendis and Sakalis.10 The message stated the British Government refused to agree that there should be a change of premiers just before liberation, and therefore, the Liberal, Progressive and Agrarian Parties were appealing to the Committee to join the Government as now constituted. It pointed out the heavy responsibilities which the Committee would otherwise assume at a time when, the postwar problems in the offing, national unity was more than ever essential.
When personally handing me a copy of this message today Venizelos said that if it brought a negative reply he and his Liberal colleagues would seriously consider leaving the Government. He showed resentment at the British attitude, saying that Greek unity was “no longer a question between the Government and the mountains, but between Mr. Eden and the mountains”.
Repeated to Murphy as No. 80.