841.2368/9–1147
The Secretary of War (Royall) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: Reference is made to letter of 4 [5] September, signed by Mr. Forrestal and myself, transmitting the views of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the military implications of withdrawal of British troops from Greece.
In addition to the purely military implications of such a move, as covered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, I should like to draw attention to certain other factors which, though largely political, are directly related to the military aspects.
If the British should carry out their present withdrawal plans, it will pose to the United States a very serious question as to whether we should replace British troops with our own. The legislative history of the Greece and Turkey aid program would seem to indicate that Congress would have to be consulted before we could send additional troops. Even if Congress approved, we would be presented with a serious question as to whether the introduction of United States forces into Greece would really help the situation or would be disturbing and provocative. The British should not place us in this position when no such dilemma would be presented by the mere retention of British troops that are already in the country.
Furthermore, the withdrawal of British Forces from Greece, thus breaking the common front in a position where the United States and Great Britain now stand together in a test case against communist aggression, would undoubtedly cause a wave of public resentment in this country against the British. Such resentment could have a most serious effect in other areas throughout the world where the United [Page 336] States and Britain have joint interest and could prejudice this nation’s support for continued aid to Britain and Europe under the Marshall Plan.1
Sincerely yours,
- This letter, except far paragraph one was quoted to London on September 12, in telegram 3970, for use by Ambassador Douglas at a suitable time in further conversations with Mr. Bevin (841.2368/9–1047).↩