868.01/11–1744: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 19—4:40 p.m.]
55. The weakness of the Government is proving to be a most disturbing factor in the present uneasy Greek situation. (See my No. 47 of November 15, 8 p.m.30) In a talk which I had with my British colleague this morning he expressed considerable concern over the lack of collaboration being shown by the demands [of] the Communist members of the coalition both as regards moderating labor’s demands for impossible wages (see my 29 of November 12, 5 p.m.31) and as regards the maintenance of order (see the concluding sentence of my 14, November 6 [9], 9 [1] p.m.). He emphasized what is undoubtedly the case, namely that the indifference of the police in connection with this latter problem derives from the fact that the police force is still honey-combed with members of the extreme Leftist organizations and he further expressed doubts as to whether the national leaders of the organizations are really able any longer to control their men.
According to Mr. Leeper, General Scobie yesterday summoned the extreme Left leaders including Messrs Siantos, Zevghos and Porphyrogennis to a conference in which he said that continued lack of cooperation would end in the imposition of martial law. Later Mr. Leeper himself had a conversation with the Prime Minister which resulted in a long Cabinet meeting at which I have been informed by another but equally reliable source that the Leftists stated that they could not conform to demands on the part of Scobie or [in?] general of the British until they knew the precise extent of the latter’s authority in this country. Mr. Leeper’s further remark to me that he has persuaded Mr. Papandreou to sign the proposed Anglo-Greek Civil Affairs agreement32 as it now stands without further discussion of changes which the Greek Government has been proposing may [be] pertinent in this connection.
As a first result of the urgent British CIS33 recommendation34 mentioned in my No. 47 above referred to, I understand that by General Wilson’s orders a blockade of Athens area exists from last night, no armed persons being allowed to enter. This follows other but less reliable information to the effect that there is a general [Page 140] rendezvous established for ELAS forces in the [garble] region on the Athens road south of Thebes.
2. Spitfire squadrons and one squadron of Baltimores of the Greek Air Force arrived here today from Italy and were at once reviewed by the Prime Minister and General Scobie at the Kalamaki airfield. The men were addressed by Mr. Papandreou and the new Minister for Air, Mr. Fikioris, a former Venizelist deputy, and made a good appearance. They are expected shortly to lay a wreath on the Unknown Soldier and to demonstrate over Athens. They, as well as the Sacred and Mountain Brigades, are notably Rightist in sentiment. The presence of these conservative troops here under British command may give promise of better order in Athens for the time being, but may also serve to strengthen EAM’s nation-wide claim to represent Greek ideals of liberty and freedom from foreign control.
Repeated to Caserta.