868.00/9–1945: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 11:59 p.m.]
9693. FonOff official today said following about Greek Regent’s visit to London:
Damaskinos’ conversations with British officials were almost entirely confined to question of elections. The announcement to be made very shortly on this subject is eminently satisfactory because FonOff feels that to have held the plebiscite before the elections would have been dangerous and that the plebiscite should be held some time in the future when tranquillity has been restored. The elections should take place in December but “in practice” a delay of a month or two may ensue.
The first meeting of the Regent with the King of Greece was stormy and the latter refused to agree to the plebiscite following the election stating (quite rightly remarked the FonOff official) that the Varkiza Agreement had declared that the plebiscite should take precedence. Another meeting between the King and Regent took place last night and “under pressure” the King finally agreed that the elections should come first.
Sent to Dept as 9693; repeated to Athens as 56.