868.00/8–346: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 4—2:37 p.m.]
1008. See mytel 955, of July 24.44 Lieutenant General Crawford, commanding British Land Forces Greece, confirmed to me last night that serious fighting in progress last 24 hours in Olympus region north of Larissa with Greek troops attempting roundup opposing bands said to be about 4,000 strong. General said “undoubtedly” some members of these bands have come across border and expressed opinion majority likely elude capture by dispersing in mountains. Added “will be good thing if troops get them on the run since this will cause Communists lose face”. British Staff information given Military Attaché this morning is that Government now using three battalions ground forces Thessaly and some air forces. Much seems to depend on early success of these forces if conditions of “civil war” repeatedly mentioned in Communist propaganda (mytel 983, July 2344) are not to develop.
In this connection, recent word from usually dependable source Greek General Staff indicates Government now embarked on all out policy root out Communism and preparing shortly declare Communist Party illegal, which considered reason for present overt policy of “reconciliation” adopted by Communist chiefs. At same time, source [Page 187] agreed with other less dependable informants in stating that Communists have been secretly planning widespread intensification of armed band activities between the 10th and 20th this month, which now being forestalled by stepping up of Government measures.
Meanwhile, though strong measures insure law and order undoubtedly carries appeal to large part of population, Government may be making as many enemies as friends on account of growing official tendency (1) to consider all persons Communists unless Royalists, (2) to protect former Metaxists and collaborators and (3) to accept armed assistance from disreputable elements professing royalism. Increasing exasperation of members of all parliamentary opposition groups apparent in this connection, and strengthening rather than weakening of anti-King and even pro-Communist sentiment throughout country not impossible as result of present extremist policy of governing authorities.