Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, The British Commonwealth, The Soviet Union, The Near East and Africa, Volume III

868.248/111

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of Near Eastern Affairs (Murray)

[Washington,] December 31, 1940.

Participants:	The Greek Minister
	Mr. Welles
	Mr. Murray

The Greek Minister called by appointment with the Under Secretary this afternoon with further regard to the question of airplanes and military supplies needed by the Greek Army.

Mr. Welles informed the Minister of the substance of the message conveyed to him from the British Government by the British Chargé d’Affaires on December 27 last. This message was, in brief, that the British Government is willing to provide the Greek Army immediately with thirty Mohawk planes which are either actually in Egypt or already en route from England to Egypt. This would be done by the British authorities on the understanding that the United States Government would arrange subsequently at the earliest possible date to replace these thirty Mohawk planes with thirty Tomahawk planes now completed under British orders in the United States.

Mr. Welles explained in reply to an inquiry from the Minister that both the Mohawk and Tomahawk planes were of American manufacture and of the latest type. This information seemed to be very welcome to the Minister who apparently had in mind his Government’s unwillingness to accept a previous offer of British Defiant planes.

The Under Secretary suggested to the Greek Minister that he might care to get in touch at an early moment with Mr. Arthur Purvis of the British Purchasing Commission in order to discuss the further details of the British proposal. Mr. Welles suggested, at the same time, that the Minister and myself might arrange to discuss the matter at an early moment with Mr. Philip Young in the Treasury. I am making the necessary arrangements to that end. The Minister then raised the question of munitions and stated that after a thorough investigation of the situation and after consultation with the British purchasing authorities he was now convinced that it would be absolutely impossible for him to obtain in this country some urgently needed supplies of shells, unless arrangements could be made by us to release certain quantities of such shells now held in the Army and Navy arsenals. The Minister laid great stress on this request of his Government and said he earnestly hoped that we might find it possible to let Greece have a certain quantity of these shells for her immediate need and that we in turn could place our orders for future delivery.

During the Minister’s visit with Mr. Welles he referred to the very cordial manner in which the President had received him today and to the President’s assurances that every effort would be made to render Greece such assistance as is needed at this time, while bearing in mind the paramount needs of Great Britain. The Minister added that while he did not, of course, go into detail in discussing with the President all phases of Greek military and aviation needs, the President was most emphatic in his assurances that we should do everything possible to assist Greece in her present need.