841.2368/4–2347: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting Secretary of State
urgent
1519. Kosmos 60. For Acheson, from Marshall. Following letter from Bevin dated April 22 on British Military Mission in Greece appears to satisfy our requirements. Please give me Department’s view on which to base reply.
“Dear Mr. Marshall: You wrote to me on April 15, about the maintenance of the British Military Mission in Greece.
[Page 149]“I fully appreciate the difficulties of the United States to which you draw attention, though I would ask you to bear in mind the Parliamentary difficulties which we too have to face in regard to the question of British forces in Greece.
“I am nevertheless happy to be able to inform you that His Majesty’s Government agree that they should continue to bear the sterling cost of the Military Mission provided that the Greek Government furnish food and accommodation.
“If this arrangement, as I hope, is satisfactory to you, we will instruct His Majesty’s Ambassador in Athens to inform the Greek Government that, after consultation with the United States Government, we are prepared to retain the Military Mission on the above basis. Yours sincerely, Ernest Bevin.”1
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In telegram 1062, Secdel 1488, April 24, to Moscow, Acting Secretary Acheson, in reply to Secretary Marshall, stated: “you may wish to express US appreciation to Bevin for agreed arrangements for financing Brit Military Mission as expressed in his letter to you of Apr 22 and inform him that we perceive no objection to having Brit Amb approach Greek Govt and will concert with Brit Emb Athens if necessary or desirable in urging Greek Govt to accept these arrangements.” (740.00119 Council/4–2447) Telegram 1062 was repeated to the Embassy in London as No. 1794.
The Secretary left Moscow before receipt of telegram 1062 and in telegram 1860, April 29, from Washington, he instructed the Embassy in London to take appropriate action (841.2368/4–2347).
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