868.00/11–2245: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:44 p.m.]
1334. Mytel 1331 November 20. Sophoulis yesterday presented Regent with Cabinet list including Kaphandaris, Vice President of [Page 181] Council without Portfolio, Tsouderos, also Vice President and Minister of Coordination Sophianopoulos Foreign Affairs and temporarily Press and Information, Mylonas Finance and Rendis Interior. This, however found unacceptable to Regent (despite Sophoulis understanding he previously given carte blanche) who urged Papandreou and Kanellopoulos be included. During following consultations in effort effect compromise no alternative solution found practical and finally McNeil advised Regent that unless Govt formed during day would be forced return London. Meanwhile during evening BBC54 broadcast statement by King condemning postponement of plebiscite and formation of exclusively Republican Govt as creating new situation prejudicial to economic and political reconstruction country. Said this solution and notably manner in which connected with continued financial aid is insult to Greek people and concluded “to adjourn plebiscite 3 years will result in strangling Greek sentiment which publicly known to have expressed itself in my favor upon every occasion offered”. Faced with above situation, Regent swore in Sophoulis Cabinet at 3:15 a.m. today and stated he would resign. Further developments and comment later.
- British Broadcasting Corporation.↩