765.68/277: Telegram
The Minister in Greece ( MacVeagh ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 22—6:27 a.m.]
206. The Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs whom I saw early this afternoon told me that the German Foreign Office professes to regard the Greco-Italian situation as definitely less threatening and that the same view has been expressed to the Turkish authorities by Von Papen.20 He pointed out however that this view seems hardly substantiated by recently reported movements of Italian troops in Albania from the Yugoslav to the Greek border and the continuance of Italian press and radio attacks against this country.
He indicated unmistakably that the Greek Government is still very apprehensive and regards the situation as one in which anything may happen or be made to happen at any time.
Some more special troops from among “auxiliary reservists” of the 1934 class were called today for a period of instruction beginning September 4 but according to the Director General Greece is still avoiding any military measures which might with any show of reason be seized upon by the Italians as provocative.
- Franz von Papen, German Ambassador in Turkey.↩