868.20/5–2647: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
771. Deptel 671 May 20.1 Following is text aide-mémoire handed me May 25 by FonMin in reply my note 206, May 12 concerning proposed increase in Greek armed forces:
“Greek General Staff is convinced and has brought to the govt indisputable evidence of fact army is not at this moment occupied in suppressing armed rebellion but in fighting an undeclared war.
This war in which enemy’s objective is destruction not only of armed forces but also of unarmed population and of wealth of entire provinces and which is waged on front of over 1,000 kilometers obviously constitutes great strain on army which is called upon to defeat enemy purpose.
Being responsible to govt for morale and efficiency of army, the General Staff has examined in close collaboration with British Military Mission needs for coming months. Necessity of certain increases in strength of army, some temporary others more permanent, was unanimously admitted as imperative and relevant proposals submitted to high military council and National Defense Council.
These proposals were made under express reserve that their execution would be subject to concurrence of US Govt. Assent of the two councils was obtained under same reserve.
[Page 180]Greek General Staff is inclined believe that necessity for these increases will also be appreciated by the American Military experts and the importance of time factor taken into consideration.
Greek Govt fully realize that military expenses are non-productive and would not willingly agree to diversion of funds this purpose. They, nevertheless, feel obliged consider reestablishment law and order as all important basis for any future reconstruction plan.”2
- Not printed; it instructed the Embassy in Athens to take appropriate steps to expedite a reply by the Greek Government to the Embassy’s note of May 7 as set forth in telegram 671, May 10, p. 166. It also gave the Department’s assumption that the Greek Government would not proceed with plans to increase its armed forces pending investigation by the United States of the economic and military implications relative to the aid program (868.20/5–1047).↩
- In telegram 799, May 30, from Athens, Ambassador MacVeagh advised that in view of the exigencies of the situation Colonel Lehner was recommending a temporary increase of 20,000 recruits to replace veterans of long service in the Greek Army (868.20/5–3047). Col. Charles R. Lehner’s letter of instruction of May 19 designated him head of the War Department Group of the United States Mission to Greece and directed him to proceed to Athens on or about May 20. The initial composition of the Group was set at 25 officers, 3 enlisted men and 25 War Department civilian employees. (868.00/5–1947)↩