868.01/12–2647: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Greece
2064. Urtels 2241 and 2242 Dec 26.1 Dept fully aware serious consequences announcement “Free Greek Government.” In view far-reaching results of basic decisions involved urgent consideration on highest level now being given U.S. position and future action. In conversations with press Dept officials not minimizing gravity of situation but explaining that importance of decisions make impossible an immediate statement of U.S. position. It is anticipated that U.S. views can be made public in near future.
Greek Ambassador has been in close touch with Dept during past few days and has been told that Greek views on U.S. position and Greek requests for increased military assistance being given most urgent consideration. General Livesay’s presence makes possible consultations with Army Dept on current military requirements.
Sent Athens 2064; Repeated Salonika 164 for BalCom 47, London 5369, Paris 4605, Moscow 2067.
- Neither printed; the former advised that Mr. Sophoulis, during the evening of December 26, had emphasized to Chargé Rankin the Greek plea for an increased supply of automatic weapons and artillery which he said must be in Greek hands before April to avert catastrophe. The Prime Minister had also informed the Chargé that precautionary arrests totaled 350 in Athens and 50 outside the capital. The latter telegram advised that the use of artillery by the guerrillas in their recent attack on Konitza was calculated to undermine the already shaky confidence in the United States of the Greek people who were aware of the negative response to the Greek Government’s requests for such weapons, (868.01/12–2647)↩