868.00/10–445: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 5—9:36 p.m.]
1121. French colleague informed me this morning now authorized hold conversations political leaders subject elections along same lines this Embassy. Said saw Mylonas, Agrarian leader yesterday and expects see EAM Central Committee tomorrow. British colleague saw Executive Committee Populist Party and Sophoulis32 leader Liberal Party yesterday. I saw Mylonas yesterday and EAM Central Committee this morning expecting Populist Committee tomorrow. Both colleagues and I laid emphasis tripartite Allied London statement and stressed need all parties cooperate over forthcoming elections with view establish stable govt (Secretary’s instructions referred Dept’s telegram 1027 [1024], Sept 2833). No advice given as to mechanics collaboration which wholly Greek affair. Leeper went so far with both Populists and Sophoulis as to suggest “older and larger parties get down on paper social programme corresponding present requirements reconstruction Greece”; but told Populists his advice was not “to form block against any other party (viz Communists) but to secure widest measure unity.” Nevertheless EAM paper Eleftheri Ellada yesterday afternoon expressed suspicion Allied intervention going further than London communiqué with aim strengthening Greek center and forming coalition with the Right against the Left. “Such intervention means nothing more than intervention British Govt and British diplomacy seeking solution Greek political crisis at expense people. Means solidifying forces monarchy and conservative democracy against EAM. Means the Scobie–Leeper policy, i.e., civil war.” Simultaneously both Leftist and Nationalist papers speculate as to whether or not dissolution of Foreign Ministers Conference London means tripartite communiqué Greek affairs obsolete.
[Page 168]Leeper and I feel continued concerted pressure may produce some useful results securing more national attitude party leaders but so far reaction only lengthy exposition of partisan viewpoints as already known Dept. Populists want elections soonest minimizing all difficulties involved because they feel sure victory now. Liberals think will lose early elections and therefore magnify difficulties and want postpone. Small anti-royalist parties (example Mylonas) urge proportional system elections under which may hope elect some representatives and also want postponement same reason Liberals. EAM likewise wants “proportional” and postponement emphasizing widespread intimidation Leftist sympathizers by existing officials largely Rightist in sentiment; demands as prerequisite participation elections that registration be recommenced under conditions permitting all qualified voters register without fear reprisals; claims 200,000 persons now effectively disqualified this reason; reiterates previous demands general amnesty and formation of “political” govt to hold elections.
Further information attitude parties will be telegraphed promptly as conversations continue. Meanwhile agree with British colleague who telegraphed London “We are at present in the state of party maneuvers and cannot get much further until date of elections announced”.