740.00119 EW/12–2445: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Caffery) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 28—4:48 p.m.]
7337. At last moment before end of Reparations Conference Greek delegate sent President of Conference letter saying he could not sign Final Act of Conference because proposed Greek reparation quotas were unjust, failed to recognize adequately Greek suffering from and contribution to war and were in general unacceptable. This action taken without warning was both discourteous and unwarranted by any information provided by Greeks themselves here in relation to data provided by other countries. Refusal to sign produced very bad impression on Conference since up to that point Greek delegate had given impression he would sign and since agreement of other countries except Egypt on quotas had been achieved after long and difficult discussions.
… No possibility exists for increasing quotas of Greece which had already been increased above original proposal. Quotas already more than just. Believe Greece has much to lose and nothing to gain by refusing participation in Final Act of first successful post-war United Nations conference. If opportunity offers you may wish to present informally considerations along above lines to appropriate Greek officials. Believe British Govt making similar informal steps.
If possible Greek agreement to sign Conference Final Act should be notified before Jan 5 when text of Final Act will be released to press.
Sent Athens 38; repeated Dept 7337 Angell 178.