868.00/5–2647: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
765. Mytel 674, May 10. Can Department give Prime Minister some answer his message or at least authorize me make him reassuring remarks in its name? Matter may be more serious than meets eye involving possible resignation at critical time of most non-partisan, moderate and cooperative personality in Government. Feel his message should not be taken as a mere sign of personal sensitiveness but as indication of Prime Minister’s precarious position vis-à-vis Tsaldaris and other party leaders. Most likely successor would be Tsaldaris with consequent difficulties for our mission which anyone who met him in Washington will understand.
[Page 179]When originally attempting dissuade Maximos from sending message, I expressed belief Secretary’s reference to Government not intended specifically indicate non-confidence in Cabinet under his leadership but only hope for improvement of general governmental conditions in which he interested as much as we. However, he insisted stating interpretation widespread here in former sense, especially among politicians and yesterday convoked me privately to say Cabinet showing tendency regard Department’s lack of reply as confirmation this point of view. I then attempted calm him by reference Department’s denial to press that Ambassador instructed to bring about change of government (USIS bulletin May 10) but he replied that while I might be uninstructed to take any action, Secretary’s statement might still have been intended show dissatisfaction with his conduct of affairs and that inability confute this argument rendering his position in Cabinet progressively difficult.