868.00/7–1047: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
1086. Following is official communiqué on mass arrests:
“For long time government has been aware of efforts of KKE leadership to carry fight against state into urban centers and capital. Fully informed on preparations of Communist chiefs, government has been following movements and efforts of KKE criminal organism with calm attention uninfluenced by enormity of new crime against nation. Tens of thousands of criminals of all sorts from all corners Greece had concentrated especially in capital but also in other urban centers. Daily new evidence came into hands of judicial, administrative, and military authorities proving crime imminent and would not be delayed for more than 24 hours. Day and hour were fixed June [July] 10 at 1 a. m. (This refers to news from government sources of interception of message from bandit chief Markos to KKE, Athens calling for application “plan G” or general uprising at that hour.)
In view this knowledge, government felt it necessary immediately carry out preventive arrests, partly to forestall any criminal act by those in plot and partly to afford judicial authorities necessary time to carry on their task efficiently by investigations under way.”
[Here follow comments by Greek leaders and newspapers.]