868.00/10–2346: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh)
1385. Urtel 1441 Oct 23.16 Although your excellent clarification US views to Tsaldaris included reference to Greek territorial claims you may take opportunity further to stress this aspect Greek problem with Tsaldaris or other Govt officials or King if you think advisable in connection declared Greek intention present territorial claims to CFM in New York. US vote against Bulgarian frontier revision in Bulgarian Territorial Commission and Peace Conference17 makes clear our position on that question. In fairness Greek Govt should realize in advance that US can not support Greek desire for revision Albanian frontier. Although US has sympathetic understanding Greek arguments for territorial adjustments and realizes failure to achieve national claims is bitter pill, indeed, we feel that in interest more important long-range aim of Balkan peace and stability US must favor retention 1939 boundaries. However, we would strongly support Greece in event any effort made to change those boundaries.
It would appear to be to eventual advantage of Greece to accept territorial integrity of its neighbors several of which are now exploiting [Page 246] against Greece what they characterize as increasingly aggressive attitude of Greek Govt in its endeavors to enlarge territory at their expense.
Although it has always been US belief that international differences should be given fullest hearing in appropriate international bodies Greek Govt must certainly be aware that continued attempts to advance these claims in and out of season can only create difficulties for Greece and for those nations who want to assist her in present dangerous situation. If in spite unfavorable atmosphere and likelihood frontier claims being rejected Greek Govt still feels it must present these claims to CFM, US Govt strongly hopes Greek officials and politicians are prepared to accept in good faith and goodwill any decision on her territorial claims even though it may be unfavorable to Greece and that they should be further prepared to exert all possible influence within their country to have such decision accepted with a minimum of dissatisfaction and rancor towards other nations.
Foregoing views being expressed to Greek Amb here.18
Sent Athens 1385. Rptd London 7347, Paris 5714, Moscow 1888, Sofia 348, Tirana 195.
- Not printed.↩
- See the United States Delegation Journal account of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Political and Territorial Commission for Bulgaria, October 1, and the Verbatim Record of the Forty-Second Plenary Meeting, October 11, vol. iii, pp. 610 and 796.↩
- On October 25 (memorandum of conversation not printed).↩