868.00/4–1147: Telegram
The Ambassador to Greece (MacVeagh) to the Greek Prime Minister (Maximos)1
While every effort is being made here to secure implementation of the President’s program for aid to Greece, public opinion is being constantly disturbed by reports of official toleration of rightist excesses and the application of security measures to non-subversive political opponents of the govt. The impression created by these reports is that the President’s program aims to assist a reactionary regime with all the earmarks of a police state, which is an idea unacceptable to the American people.
Officials of the Dept of State and many others in authority realize fully that Greece is in danger from the communist menace both within and without the country, and that drastic measures are necessary in such a situation. They also understand the difficulty of administering even-handed justice at all times and in all places under such circumstances. Nevertheless, they are being embarrassed, and the success of the President’s proposals is being imperilled, by the reports above mentioned.
You will remember my concern over this matter expressed to you on numerous occasions. You will also remember your assurance to me that in my absence your policy would be in accord with the President’s message. I would now respectfully emphasize again, but with a new urgency born of a critical moment, the advisability (1) of your Govt’s giving some clear factual evidence of its political tolerance and broad national character by proceeding with equal vigilance and severity [Page 143] against all lawlessness whether of the right or left, and (2) of its giving its actions in this respect the fullest and most persistent publicity. That the Government of Greece is “fascist” in mind and action is the argument which is telling more potently than any other against the President’s program and it can be effectively answered only by the observed conduct of that Govt itself.2
- Transmitted to Athens in telegram 449 with the instruction: “Please convey following personal message to Mr. Maximos from MacVeagh.” The Ambassador was in the United States for consultation.↩
- In telegram 522, April 14, 5 p. m., from Athens, Chargé Keeley reported that Ambassador MacVeagh’s message was received at Athens on April 13 “and communicated Prime Minister same evening. He said he would shortly furnish for reassurance of the Ambassador copies of orders already issued by his direction to all security agencies to proceed with equal vigilance and severity against all lawlessness whether of the right or left. I reiterated previous comment … that equally important to issuance such orders is to see that they are obeyed and that more important than reassurance to Ambassador was to see that conduct of security agencies is so unmistakably impartial that observers, particularly foreign news correspondents, would so report instead of contrary. He said he fully agreed but that hatred engendered by left excesses is so great it is difficult to control rightist retaliation. However, I might assure Ambassador that he would continue to do his utmost to keep govt’s actions in accord with his policy which would continue to be in harmony with President’s message.” (868.00/4–1447). Prime Minister Maximos’ formal reply to Ambassador MacVeagh was conveyed by the Embassy in Athens in telegram 539, April 17, midnight (868.00/4–1747).↩