868.00/7–1847: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece
1084. Brit Emb here has informed Dept that Brit Amb in Athens has been instructed to approach Greek FonOff regarding recent arrests. Brit Amb is to state that the Greeks would be well advised to expedite screening of those arrested, to release those not seriously implicated in any plots, and to bring those remaining in custody speedily to trial with Charges against them made public. Brit also consider that they [Page 245] should use their influence to dissuade Greek Govt from further indiscriminate arrests and unnecessary drastic measures and to insure that everything possible is done to mitigate inevitable bad impression created abroad.
We are informing Brit Emb here that we have no objection to démarche to above effect by Brit Amb in Athens. You may if you consider it advisable address similar remarks to Greek FonOff. Thus far, however, there is surprisingly little criticism in US of recent widespread arrests.
FonOff has also informed Brit Amb Athens of its view that it would be preferable if possible for Greek Govt not to outlaw whole Communist party by some formal measure and that any measures which outlaw whole of EAM would seem disastrous. In addition FonOff regrets wholesale scale of arrests so far carried out. Dept would appreciate your views on these questions. However, our concurrence thereon has not been requested by Brit.
Sent Athens 1084, rptd London 3092.