868.00/11–1945: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 19—11:20 p.m.]
1321. Crowds estimated by police at 30,000 participated yesterday mass meeting protesting recognition Albanian Govt and demanding Northern Epirus. Govt did not sponsor and was not officially represented at meeting which organized by North Epirote societies with support veterans and many other organizations. Chief speaker was Bishop of Argyrocastro who ended long fiery address with slogan: “Union or death”. Other speakers represented Athens bar, veterans and nationalist workers organizations. Extreme Left officially abstained and extreme Eight made no apparent effort exploit occasion. Crowd representing all classes society was orderly but appeared warmly sympathetic aims of demonstration and enthusiastically applauded speakers. Later small group 200 to 300 chiefly students demonstrated at this and British Embassies but without incident.