868.00/11–245: Telegram
The Ambassador in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 3—5:24 p.m.]
1239. My telegram 1233, November 2.45 Rapid formation new government took press and political world by surprise. First reaction Royalist-Nationalist press reserved, Republican papers pessimistic or hostile indicating fear ostensibly democratic appearance simply mask for Royalism and pointing out Regent’s responsibility. Socialists and Extreme Left bitterly attack Regent and Government professing see Papandreou behind new development. Populist and Liberal leaders [Page 177] withhold comment awaiting Prime Minister’s promised statement, while Papandreou quoted saying, “We extend esteem and sympathy new government and pray its success, but persons must be judged by programs”.
British colleague equally surprised with others. Was notified only after government formed last night. Says cannot regard Cabinet as “strong team” but perhaps “not too bad if Greeks will give it chance”. Thinks it essentially a Kanellopoulos-Tsatsos46 construction believing latter exercises strong influence Regent. Despite Right-Center as opposed to Left-Center complexion hitherto favored by British, considers only course give it all support in view possibly disastrous consequences another failure.
Right-Center complexion recalls Regent’s former stipulation that government must include elements of Right (my telegram 1150, Part 1, October 1147) and is perhaps indication essential fear his part directed Communism. Behind his solicitude for state undoubtedly lies concern for church which recently attacked by Zachariades48 (my despatch 1539, September 1849). British colleague feels he also swayed by conviction majority elements country lie Right rather than Left and regards duty not place minority in power winning elections (my telegram 1174, October 17).
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Not printed; Ambassador MacVeagh had reported the formation of a government on the evening of November 1 by Panayotis Kanellopoulos, a former university professor, who had been in and out of Greek politics since 1935 (868.00/11–245).
During the week preceding the formation of the Kanellopoulos government—the third week of the Greek governmental crisis—the Ambassador in Greece continued to report in detail by telegram the Regent’s unsuccessful search for a political leader capable of forming a government amidst the political and economic confusion then prevailing. The most prominent and active political figure of the period was Sophocles Venizelos, who, failing in private efforts to effect a coalition of Liberals and Populists, was commissioned by the Regent on October 28 to form a “government of personalities”; in this, too, Mr. Venizelos was unsuccessful, ending his efforts on October 29.
↩ - The brothers Tsatsos, Themistocles and Costa, were both close friends of the Regent; the former had been a minister in the Papandreou government.↩
- Not printed.↩
- Nicholas Zachariades, leader of the Greek Communist Party, imprisoned by the Germans at Dachau until the end of the war.↩
- Not printed.↩