868.20/10–2248
Memorandum by the Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of Defense (Forrestal)
Attached is an Eyes Only message1 received by cable from General Marshall in Paris representing a third person brief of a memorandum on Greece which will follow by air.
[Page 168]The message is, I think, self-explanatory with regard to the primary proposal relating to an increase of 15,000 men for training and replacement. This is, of course, substantially less than the Greek Government has asked for and I can only surmise that General Van Fleet and General Marshall are not sympathetic to the idea that the problem can be solved merely by the numbers racket.
The Secretary’s comment on the effectiveness of the Air Force is borne out by all our observers, who state that, per dollar expended, it has been the most productive of results. Some time ago they asked for additional P–47’s to equip another squadron.
Reading between the lines, it appears that the Secretary is worried lest the Soviets regain some of their lost prestige through a series of successes in Greece or through reluctance of the Greek Army to hold the guerrillas in check. It appears to be a fact that the number of guerrillas has actually increased lately (notably in the Vitsi area) as a result of new recruits coming across the borders from Albania and Yugoslavia.
Will you please let me have your judgment as to the appropriate way in which the matter of additional funds for the 15,000 troops should be explored?