868.00/12–1144: Telegram
The Appointed Ambassador to Italy (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 11—9:09 p.m.]
1699. Macmillan and Field Marshal Alexander left this morning for Athens. Macmillan before his departure stated that Churchill had requested him to proceed immediately to Greece and “try to put an end to the fighting by some sort of a compromise”. He added that Churchill had given him broad authority to make some sort of a deal if such a thing was at all possible. When asked what this meant, Macmillan said that it was perfectly clear that Papandreou would probably have to be sacrificed but before the British decided to do this Macmillan was to survey the situation for British Prime Minister. He said that he was not at all optimistic as to the prospects but stated he felt that the fighting in Greece must be brought to an end in the very near future on one basis or another. The British Resident Minister stated that he expected to return with Alexander to Caserta on December 13 the date when the Field Marshal will formally take over AFHQ.