868.00/12–1544: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:03 p.m.]
150. According to the British Ambassador with whom I have just talked, the King has replied from London that he must have the advice of his Ministers before agreeing to the proposed Regency. Papandreou is already in agreement with the proposal and the British expect that the consent of the others can be obtained today. They feel that the solution proposed is most hopeful of success in stopping the civil war as the Archbishop is confident that he can deal with ELAS. His program if he is named Regent is to proclaim at once that if arms are laid down (1) there will be a general amnesty (2) the British Army will see to it that no reprisals against ELAS occur and (3) he will constitute a new government of all parties and resistance movements represented in the recent coalition.
I asked Mr. Leeper if there is anything that we could do to help bring the present dreadful conditions in Athens to an end and he said “I hope the American Government will support this effort as it constitutes the only reasonable hope of saving the Anglo-American (sic) position here.” I personally feel that the effort is as well conceived as anything could be under the present circumstances in which compromise and moderation appear essential though the amnesty regarding which ELAS is reported to be particularly anxious and the reacceptance of the Communist Party into the Government are bound to be very unpopular with the extreme Right. Meanwhile, the British are continuing to bring in reinforcements and should have all of their two new divisions here today or tomorrow. Their plan according to the Ambassador is to show themselves strong enough to face any eventuality while at the same time attempting conciliation and placing the settlement of internal political questions squarely in Greek hands.