Chapter 209 Volume 6, Chapter 19 Christmas in Athens

Street fighting in Athens Important correspondence with Field Marshal Alexander December 22 My telegram to Smuts My doubts about the Regency December 24 Mr. Eden and I fly to Athens on the British warship Ea Christmas night aboard the SS. A report from me to Mr. Attlee and a report to the President. We met at the Greek Foreign Office on December 26. A telegram from the Communists to Mrs. Churchill. Appointment of Archbishop Zamaskinos as Regent Flying home on 28th December Telegram to the President A laborious errand led to a proclamation from the King of Greece Comments from Sir Reginald Lipper Plath 3rd January Advice from General Tilas as Prime Minister Field Marshal Smuts Armistice signed on January 11 The Greek National Liberation Army was expelled from Athens The struggle ended.

Street fighting in Athens came and went on an ever-increasing scale.December 15 Field Marshal Alexander warned me that the most important thing is to get a solution quickly, and the best way is through the Archbishop.He said in the telegram that if the resistance of the rebels continues to be as fierce as it is now, I am afraid that I will have to send a large number of reinforcements from the Italian front, otherwise I will not be able to wipe out the enemy in the Athens area of ​​Piraeus. Fifty square miles are residential areas. Prime Minister to Field Marshal Alexander (Italy) December 17, 1944

From my point of view, the advance of the People's National Liberation Army into the central area of ​​Athens is a very serious and outstanding event.I would therefore like to ask your opinion whether, with the reinforcements now arriving, it is not possible for us to hold our position in the center of town and defeat the enemy.Apart from the 4th Division, the Tank Regiment and the remaining two brigades of the 46th Division, what other reinforcements do you have in mind?Is there any danger that the British, now besieged in Athens, will capitulate in large numbers; will the Greeks on our side be massacred with it?The War Cabinet has asked you to report on the military situation in this regard.

2. We have no intention of conquering or occupying Greece.Our aim is to lay the foundations for a Greek government with broad class participation on which it can function, and to build a national army so that it can be sustained in Attica.When this object has been attained, we shall go, for we have no other interest in Greece than love and honor. 3. The Greek king once categorically refused to appoint a regent in a long letter with strong logic, especially refused to appoint an archbishop, because the king himself could not trust him.I had heard various accounts of the Archbishop's close ties to the FNL and his strong personal ambitions.We have not yet decided whether to overcome the King's objections.If so, by what method; if it cannot be dispelled, there is no constitutional basis for it except resorting to force; and once force is used, we are involved in the right and wrong of both sides in the struggle.The matter would be further complicated if his prime minister and government advised him not to appoint a regent (as later events would confirm this, and as the king asserted).In such a case, we shall punish the king for keeping his constitutional oath, and set up a dictator at our own discretion.The cabinet therefore decided to wait a little longer to see how the military situation progressed before making a final major decision.

4. I personally feel that before negotiating, we must have a military advantage. In any case, I only want to stand in a strong position, not a weak position to negotiate.Of course, if you say that it is impossible for us to control Attica within a certain period of time, then the situation is obviously difficult, but we have overcome all other difficulties, and we should not be intimidated by such difficulties. Two days later, I called again: Prime Minister to Field Marshal Alexander (Italy) December 19, 1944 The Cabinet decided that it would be better to continue for some time the military campaign to clear the enemies of Athens and Attica than to invest all our political capital in the Archbishop.Have you checked his detailed resume?It would be very difficult for me to ditch a constitutional king who, despite British pressure and acting on the sound advice of ministers, would have installed another dictator who was likely to favor the far left.

We will continue here to wait for some clarity on the situation, and then we will issue all necessary instructions. Alexander's answer was serious.He had succeeded General Wilson as Supreme Commander at this time. Field Marshal Alexander to Prime Minister December 21, 1944 In answering your call of December 19, my greatest concern is to let you know exactly what the real situation is and what we can and cannot do.it is my responsibility.You want to know what the strength of the British army is in Greece, and how many more reinforcements I might send from the Italian front, if circumstances compel it to do so.

Assuming the ELN fights on, I reckon we can clear the Piraeus area of ​​Athens and hold it later, but that won't defeat the ELN and force them to surrender. Our strength is not strong enough to go beyond this limit to fight on the Greek mainland.During the German occupation, they maintained six to seven divisions on the mainland, plus the equivalent of four divisions on several Greek islands.Even so, the Germans have not always been able to keep the lines of communication clear, and I doubt that we shall meet with less strength and determination than the Germans. German movements on the Italian front required close attention.Recent developments on the Western Front and the disappearance of the Nazi 16th SS Division against the US Fifth Army appear to be acting strangely, and we must guard against them.I mention these factors to give you an idea of ​​the military situation and to emphasize my view that the Greek problem cannot be solved by military means.We must go to the political field to find the answer.

Finally, I think you also know that you can always trust me to do everything in my power to carry out your wishes, but I sincerely hope that you can find a political solution to the Greek problem, because I am convinced that in the cleansing of Athens｜Piraeus After defeating the enemy in the Sri Lanka area, further military operations are beyond our current capabilities. My call back is as follows: Prime Minister to Field Marshal Alexander (Italy) December 22, 1944 There is no question of us fighting outside the Athens-Piraeus region, but there we must lay down a military base on which some kind of Greek government can exercise its powers.Personally, I have great doubts about the archbishop, because he has a good chance of becoming a dictator championed by the left.However, these doubts may be dispelled in a few days.I find it very hopeful that within a few days we will have Attica under control and the Athenians wiped out.

2. We have no intention of remaining in Greece after this, except for such a considerable period as is necessary to enable the government (whatever it may be) to raise a national army or militia to be able to direct the matters such as elections and referendums.There will be no political solution if we negotiate from a weak and failed base.In the present situation one can enter the political sphere only through the gate of victory. I informed Marshal Smuts of my views on Greek affairs. Prime Minister to Field Marshal Smuts December 22, 1944 For me, Greece has proven to be a source of endless trouble, and we have indeed been traumatized at our friends' homes.Communist parties and left-wing forces around the world took advantage of this new opportunity to stir up sympathy, while our reputation and prestige in Greece was damaged to some extent by the news reports that were filmed back home by the American press.The return of the King of Greece could not be the basis of English policy.

We must avoid at all costs the impression that we are using the bayonet to impose him on the Greek people. I have serious doubts about the Regency, which is likely to take a dictatorial form.I can't say if it's going to be a leftist dictatorship because I don't know enough about the Archbishop.All the leftists and our people on the ground, of course, support the Regency.Alexander, of course, had all his heart and soul on the northern front, and therefore had a great dislike for all Greek affairs.But if evil prevails in Greece (which seems likely), we have to be prepared to deal with a semi-Bolshevistized, Russian-led Balkan Peninsula, and this situation may spread to Italy and Hungary.I therefore foresee great dangers to the world in these areas, but I am incapable of doing anything effective except to put heavy pressure on this government and quarrel with the United States.I hope in a few days time to see some progress in military operations on the Attic side, leading to a healthy atmosphere.At the same time, our reinforcements are coming, and in terms of numbers, of course they have already greatly surpassed the People's National Liberation Army.However, the situation is not very optimistic.

After two days, I decided to go and see for myself. It was December 24th and we had a family and children's evening on Christmas Eve.We have a Christmas tree that was given to us by the President of the United States and everyone is looking forward to a fun evening, perhaps brightened by the shadows surrounding us.But when I read the telegram, I was convinced that I should fly to Athens to see the situation there, and especially to get to know the Archbishop, with whom many things were going.I called to have a plane ready and waited at Northolt Airport that night.I suggested to Mr. Eden that he should come with me, and he agreed immediately, thus ruining his Christmas again.After being scolded by my family for skipping the party, I took a bus to Northolt Airport to meet Aiden.There was waiting there in a Skymaster recently allocated to me by General Arnold, with attentive and efficient service on board.We slept soundly until about eight o'clock when we landed in Naples for refueling.There are several generals here, some of us together, and some of us having breakfast at the next table.Breakfast wasn't the best time of day for me and the news from the Italian front and Athens was dismal.An hour later, we took off again.The weather was fine and we flew over the Peloponnese and the Strait of Corinth.Athens and Piraeus spread out below us like a big map, and we peered down wondering who controlled what. About noon we landed at Kalamaki airfield, guarded by about two thousand British airmen, all armed and energetic.Field Marshal Alexander, Mr. Lipper and Mr. Macmillan were all there to greet him.They boarded the plane and we spent almost three hours having a lively discussion of the whole military and political situation.In the end I think we are on the same page and agree on the steps that should be taken without delay. My group and I are going to sleep on the Ajax warship moored off the coast of Piraeus.This ship was the famous light cruiser at the Battle of the Platte Estuary, which seems long since now.Along the road, it is said to be calm, we have a few armored vehicles to protect us, and we have walked for several miles without any accidents.We boarded the Ajax just before nightfall, and it occurred to me for the first time that it was Christmas.The crew were all set up for the festive night and we of course tried not to disturb them. [1] See Chapter 29 of Volume One. The sailors plan to make twelve people put on various costumes, disguise themselves as Chinese, blacks, red Indians, Londoners, clowns, and everyone sings nocturnes to make the generals and warrant officers happy, and generally in a manner suitable for the occasion. The feast begins.The archbishop and his entourage also came. He was very tall, and he wore a robe and a tall hat like those of noble people in the Greek church.The two groups collided.The sailors, thinking that he was coming to their show (though they had not been informed beforehand), danced wildly round him.The archbishop thought that this group of clowns in various colors was deliberately insulting him.If the captain hadn't arrived in time, it is very likely that he would have gone ashore.The captain was a little embarrassed at first, but finally explained the matter clearly and satisfactorily.At this time, I waited a lot, not knowing what happened, but the result was very happy. I sent the War Cabinet a report of the various issues we discussed. Prime Minister (Athens) to Deputy Prime Minister and others December 26, 1944 As soon as we arrived at Athens airport the Foreign Secretary and I had a meeting with Field Marshal Alexander, Mr Macmillan and Mr Lipper. 2. Field Marshal Alexander made an encouraging report on the current military situation.The situation was serious two weeks ago, but it is much better now.However, the Field Marshal already had a clear view: Behind the People's Liberation Army troops, there was a stubborn core of resistance, which belonged to the Communist Party in nature.It is stronger than we expected, and it is very difficult to destroy it.Even if we were able to drive the National Liberation Army troops out of the area around Athens, we still face a difficult task if we want to eliminate them completely. 3. Mr. McMillan and Mr. Lipper told us that they have been considering calling all the political leaders to a meeting, including the People's National Liberation Army.We felt that such a conference was called with the express purpose of putting an end to the fratricidal struggle in Greece, and that even if the National Liberation Army refused the invitation, our intentions would be made known to the world.We also agreed that it would be a good idea for the Archbishop to chair the meeting.We drafted a public statement at the meeting (on the plane).Mr Macmillan and Mr Lipper intend to send the statement to the Prime Minister and Archbishop of Greece.The original text of the statement has been sent to you by telegram. 4. We have expressed our desire that this meeting should soon become a meeting of the Greeks themselves, although we would like to be there as long as it helps the meeting.When we raised the matter with the Archbishop, we had been informed in advance that he would agree to play his part.When he came to see us (on board the Ajax), he spoke of the atrocities of the People's Liberation Army and the insidious black hand behind the National Liberation Front, expressing his abhorrence.After hearing what he said, there is no doubt that he was very afraid of the Communist Party (or as he called it: Trotskyites) getting entangled in Greek affairs.He told us that he issued an encyclical today condemning a group of People's National Liberation Army for taking 8,000 hostages, all of them middle class, many of them Egyptians, and shooting a few every day.He added that he had stated that if the women were not released, he would make these events public in the world's press.After an argument, he believed, the women would be released.Generally speaking, he gave me the impression that he could be trusted.He was handsome and immediately accepted the offer to chair the meeting.We will invite representatives of the United States and the Soviet Union in Athens to attend as observers.The meeting is scheduled for December 26 at 4:00 pm. 5. At my request, the Archbishop will send me a proposal for the agenda of this meeting.I cannot predict what the outcome of the meeting will be.Of course, the People's National Liberation Army may decline the invitation.If they do, they will show the world their insatiable appetite for power.If they do, I don't have high hopes for a coalition government.My impression is that there is deep resentment towards the Communist Party in Greece, especially from the archbishop's words.We had no doubts about this before we came here.The current situation is confirmed by everything we have heard so far.There is no doubt that the people of Athens will know how to vote, if they have the opportunity to do so, after we meet with the People's Liberation Army, there will be a follow-up report, if they come tomorrow. Of course I also passed on the situation to the President of the United States. prime minister to president roosevelt December 26, 1994 Anthony and I are coming out to see what we can do to resolve this dispute in Greece.The reason for this trip: The king refused to go back until the whole people voted for his confidence.Furthermore, we cannot abandon those who have fought with us for our cause, and we must fight with them to victory if necessary.It must always be understood that we claim nothing of Greece, territorial or otherwise.We have given a lot, and we will give more in the future as long as we have the power to do it.I count on you to help us in this very difficult time.I especially hope that you will inform your ambassadors in Athens to keep in touch with us and to help us as much as possible according to the above principles. He called back the next day. President Roosevelt to Prime Minister December 27, 1944 I have asked our ambassador to visit you as soon as possible, and I am ready to help as much as possible in this difficult situation. I hope that after your presence, everything will be resolved to your full satisfaction. On the morning of the 26th, Giving Day [1], I set off for the embassy.I remember that when we were about to land, three or four shells came from the field a mile to our left, off the field, very near the Ajax, and set up a lot of water.Here an armored vehicle and armed escort await us.I said to my private secretary, Jock Colville: Where is your pistol?When he replied that he hadn't, I reproached him, for of course I carried my own pistol with me.After a while, as we piled into our steel van, he said, I got a Tommy.I asked him, where did you get it?He replied, I borrowed it from the driver.I asked, so what does he do?He will be busy driving.I replied that there would be no trouble unless we were forced to stop, but then what would he do?Jock said nothing.Remember it!We rumbled all the way to the embassy without incident. 【1】Gift-giving day refers to the day after Christmas, on which Yingsu gives gifts to postmen and deliverymen.translator There I again met the Archbishop.We're going to bet a lot on him.He agreed with all our suggestions.We planned the program for the meeting that will take place in the afternoon.I've come to believe that he was a prominent figure in the chaos of Greece.Among other things, I learned that he was a wrestler before entering the Greek Orthodox Church.Mr. Lipper has noticed that I have said that any new assignment, His Excellency the Archbishop, as Regent, will in any case interfere with your religious office, and it troubles me when I think of it.He gave me all the necessary assurances. On December 26th at about six o'clock in the evening, a meeting was held in the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.We were seated in a large, cold room after nightfall.Winter in Athens is cold.There is no heating equipment in the room, and a few wind lanterns cast a dim light on the venue.Mr. Eden and I sat on the Archbishop's right, and Field Marshal Alexander on his left.The American Ambassador, Mr. McVeigh, the French Minister, Mr. Baron, and the Soviet military representatives all accepted our invitation.Three Communist leaders were late.It's not their fault.There had been a long-drawn-out quarrel at the outpost.After half an hour, we set about our work.When they entered the conference room, I was already speaking.They were all rather handsome characters, dressed in British military uniform.In my speech, among other things, I said: When we came here yesterday, we thought it would be a good thing to be able to sit down and talk.Better to put every effort into rebuilding Greece as a factor in victory, and do it now.So we talked to Prime Minister Papandreou and we suggested to him that such a meeting should be held.While the Great War is still raging on the Belgian and German frontiers, Mr. Eden and I have come here with the intention of making such an effort to save Greece from its miserable fate and to raise it to a position of renown.Mr. Papandreou immediately expressed to me that he welcomed such a meeting, which is why we are all gathered here, in a city where the sound of guns not far from here can be heard every minute.The next step on the British side was to invite the archbishop to chair the Greek council.We don't want to interfere with your discussion.We Britons and representatives of the other united victorious powers will leave you Greeks yourselves to discuss under the leadership of this most eminent and honorable citizen. We will not bother you unless you invite us again.We can wait a while, but in this stormy world, we have many other tasks to accomplish.In any event, it is my hope that the conference which begins here in Athens this afternoon will restore Greece once more to its reputation and strength among the Allied Powers and the peace-loving peoples of the world, and will secure its frontiers against any dangerous intrusion from the world, and would make every Greek adept at exercising his personal and national power before the whole world.For the eyes of the world are upon this table at this moment, and we Britons believe that whatever may have happened during the bitter war, whatever misunderstandings may have occurred, we shall maintain the tradition between Greece and Great Britain Friendship, which played a very prominent role in Greece's independence. General Alexander added a sharp interjection that the Greeks should fight in Italy, not with the British in Greece. Now that we have broken through the difficulty at the beginning, the Greeks, who were originally self-killing each other, gathered around a table under the auspices of the archbishop to negotiate, and have made a formal speech, so the British personnel in the meeting immediately withdrew. I went back to the embassy happily.Over there are some oil stoves borrowed from General Headquarters for my use during my visit.While we were waiting for news of the meeting and dinner, I sent the following telegram to my wife, sorry for not being able to reunite with her on Christmas Eve: Prime Minister to Mrs Churchill December 26, 1944 We've had a productive day, and so far, there's no need to give up hope that we'll get something important.The HMS Ajax was so comfortable that we could see the fighting in the northern Piraeus at such a close distance that we had to move another mile.Because too many of their grenadier shells fell near us.I traveled in a well-guarded armored vehicle to the embassy along the long road from Piraeus to Athens, and spoke to all the brave female staff of the embassy, ​​who had been through constant danger and hardship It's been a few weeks, but I'm still in a good mood.Mrs. Lipper encouraged them. 2. You may have read about a plot to bomb the headquarters in the Hotel de la Grande Bretagne.I don't think it's for my sake.Another ton of dynamite was placed in the sewers by highly skilled men using German machinery between the time of my arrival and before daylight.I had made friends with the archbishop, and thought it wise to bring him in as we did, leaving constitutional matters for later. 3. The meeting in the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs was very dramatic.Around the table were all gaunt-faced Greeks, and the Archbishop, who, in my opinion, was seven feet tall with his tall hat, was invited by us to be President.The ambassadors of the United States, Russia and France were all pleased to be present.You're sure to hear their speeches on the radio, or see them printed in the Wednesday papers.Three people from the People's National Liberation Army came and were late.The Greek government suggested, thanked us for being here, said many compliments, and was seconded by representatives of the People's National Liberation Army.They spoke of Great Britain as our great ally. All this contrasted with the shelling of each other not so far away. 4. After some consideration, I shook hands with representatives of the People's National Liberation Army. Judging from their reactions, they were obviously satisfied.They are all number one.We're keeping them together now because it's a Greek drama. The game could end at any moment.We'll wait a day or two to see if necessary.We have at least done our part. Intense discussions among Greek parties took up the entire second day.At half past five that evening, I had my last discussion with the Archbishop.As a result of several meetings between him and representatives of the People's National Liberation Army, it was agreed that I should go and ask the King of Greece to appoint him Regent.He will set out to form a new government without the Communist Party.We undertake to continue to fight with all our strength until the People's National Liberation Army accepts the truce or clears them from the Athens area.I told him that we could not undertake any military missions outside of Athens and Attica, but that we would try to keep British troops in Greece until a national Greek army was formed. Just before this conversation began, I received a letter from representatives of the Communist Party requesting a secret meeting with me.The archbishop begged me not to promise them.I reply that, since the nature of the meeting is entirely Greek, I do not think it proper to accede to their request. On the morning of the next day, December 28, Mr. Eden and I flew to Naples and London.I had no opportunity to say goodbye to Mr. Papandreou before leaving.He was about to resign, and he was a serious failure in the whole business.I take care of our ambassador to maintain friendly contact with him. I am sending the following telegram to the Committee of Chiefs of Staff: Prime Minister (Athens) to General Ismay Transfer to the Reich Chief of the General Staff and the Council of the Chiefs of Staff December 28, 1944 I see very clearly that if we do not hurry, say, within two or three weeks, to bring the situation to light, there will be a catastrophe here in Athens that will affect our position in the world.According to Alexander, this required the transfer of two brigades from the 46th Division, which had already been ordered to go.On the other hand, the military situation in the west of the Apennines was such that any serious weakening of the reserves of the Fifteenth Army Group would lead to danger. 2. Under these circumstances, I would like you to consider and be ready to discuss with me upon my return that the advance brigade of the Fifth Division should be dispatched from Palestine according to the schedule before the Fourth Division is diverted to Greece. to Italy.It will be of great convenience if we can get an answer on this matter tomorrow, Thursday.I'm not leaving Caserta before midnight.This, of course, meant that no violent action could be taken in Palestine to provoke the Jews, such as a large-scale weapons search, until the surrounding situation had calmed down. Just before leaving Athens, I sent the following telegram to the President, since I had received a kind call from him asking for information. Prime Minister (Athens) to President Roosevelt December 28, 1944 Thank you for your call, which encouraged me through many difficulties.Ambassador McVeigh came to see me yesterday and we resumed our last conversation.He was as convinced as anyone here that a regency under the archbishop was the only way forward.I have met the archbishop several times, and I have had a favorable impression of his sense of power, of his decisiveness and keen political judgment.You cannot expect me to tell you here about his spiritual qualities, for I have not had ample opportunity to measure such things. 2. The Council of Greece (you will get a detailed account of it elsewhere), unanimously in favor of a regency.The National Liberation Front strongly supported this.However, I think the Archbishop is definitely not the left wing that the Communist Party refers to.On the contrary, he seems to have been an extremely decisive figure, bent on creating a small but powerful administration in Greece to prevent the civil war from continuing. 3. Therefore, I will return home with Antony to urge the Greek king to appoint the archbishop as regent.The result, of course, was that the archbishop would establish a government of a dozen men of sufficient good will, if the king agreed.I guess he will appoint Plastieras as Prime Minister, and Papandreou will not be included.Naturally I cannot speculate too far when these things are mere conjectures. 4. As soon as we go back, we will discuss with our colleagues who have already inclined to this way. We should exert the greatest pressure on the King of Greece to accept the advice of his Prime Minister Mr. Papandreou. It changed three times a day, but now he had promised to send a telegram he had drafted himself. 5. If Ambassador McVeigh's report of these events is in line with what I have said, I would very much like you to send a private telegram to the King of Greece in the next few days in support of our proposals to be made to him, This suggestion, we shall inform you again.My idea is that the regency period should be a one-year period, or until a referendum can be held under what are called normal calm conditions. The archbishop has entrusted the matter to me, so that I can put the question to the king in the most convenient manner.Of course, after these difficulties have been overcome and the Archbishop has become Regent, it will make our work easier if you feel able to send him a telegram of support.Mr. President, we have lost more than a thousand people. Although the enemy has been eliminated from most parts of Athens, the street fighting in this city is still going on fiercely. Sometimes here, sometimes there, seeing this scene, It is sad, and the poor people are destitute, and in many cases are kept alive only by the rations that we distribute to them in the depots, often at the risk of our own lives.When the time comes, anything you can say to encourage support for this new plan will be valuable, and may induce the People's National Liberation Army to accept the terms of the armistice proposed by General Scobie.As for the rest, we are adding reinforcements as necessary, while military hostilities will continue.The overwhelming majority of the people yearn for a solution that will free them from the horrors of the Communist Party. 6. We must consider an interim arrangement which we may study when our long-awaited meeting takes place.That date shouldn't be too far away now.Then it will be possible to connect our opinions with our actions.In the meantime we have no choice but to propose a new and more capable government with an Archbishop as Regent, while we continue to take on the heavy task not of our own making to bring those who are The very dangerous, powerful, and well-organized and commanded elements were expelled from Athens.When I went back on Friday morning, I received a telegram and felt very precious. We returned to London on December 29, and I sent another telegram to President Roosevelt. Ambassador Winant has sent me a copy of your telegram to the King of Greece.We are all very grateful for your swift action.Anthony and I just got back.The War Cabinet has sanctioned our action, and has authorized us to urge the King of Greece this evening to appoint the Archbishop as Regent.The archbishop left me to negotiate with the king for the term of regent, so I acted more freely. 2. If the consent of the king is not obtained, our government will recommend the archbishop to take the post of regent, and assure him that we have decided to recognize him and the government he formed as the government of Greece. That night, I gave him more definite news. prime minister to president roosevelt December 30, 1944 Anthony and I talked with the King of Greece until 4:30 this morning, and finally, the King agreed to the following announcement.I have sent it to Ambassador Lipper in Athens, so that the Archbishop can start working immediately.The Greek text is being translated, and I shall send you a copy as soon as possible. For me, this is a very demanding job.I had to tell the King that if he did not agree, the matter would be settled without him, and we would recognize the new government and not him.I wish for all your support and encouragement for the Archbishop and his government. The announcement is as follows: 我希臘國王喬治二世，深切考慮到我所熱愛的人民由於空前的和不能控制的局勢而陷入於可怕的境遇之中，並因為我已決定，除非得到全國自由和公正的民意的召喚，不再回到希臘；同時對於你的忠誠具有充分的信任，現在通過這個公告任命你，大主教扎馬斯基諾斯，在這個緊急時期擔任我的攝政。為此，我授權與你，並要求你採取一切必要的措施在整個王國境內恢復秩序和安寧。朕還要進一步表示願望，即等到這陣風潮過去之後，應該通過民主政治的手續來探知希臘人民自由發表的願望，從而減輕我所熱愛的國家所經受的令人心痛的苦難。 我立刻把這份王室的公告送給駐雅典的利珀先生，說明大主教從收到這份公告時起，應該認為自己可以利用一切職權，大膽工作，並確信英國政府會堅決予以支持。 羅斯福總統當天答覆道：得悉你已平安到達，甚為高興，並且祝你在解決希臘問題上完全成功，看起來你的希臘之行卓有成效。 我的覆電如下： prime minister to president roosevelt 一九四四年十二月三十一日 希臘國王的行為頗有君子之風，而且具有高度的尊嚴，我深信你如給他一個私人電報，一定會令他得到安慰。對於人民民族解放軍寄給我的那封公開信，我將只給他們一個禮節上的答謝，而把這件事交給大主教。現在這顯然是他的事情了。 西線的大戰似乎正穩步地轉變為有利於我方，我仍然認為龍德施泰特的反擊與其說它是延長戰爭，毋寧說它是縮短戰爭。 利珀先生（現在是利珀爵士，榮獲英帝國大十字勳章、聖邁克爾和聖喬治大十字勳章）在他的《當希臘人和希臘人碰在一起》一書中記述這些事跡時有如下的評論： 國王的公告批准了會議全體一致的主張，這是邱吉爾先生訪問的直接結果。這終於攻破了一種流言，就是說英國人試圖把國王重行強加於他的人民的頭上。即使僅僅為了這個緣故，邱吉爾先生到雅典訪問也是大有道理的。如果他的本能不在那個時候使他到有糾紛的地點去，我十分懷疑是否有別的影響力能夠誘導各方面湊集在一起來向國王建議那個攝政機構。 【１】 【１】見該書第一百二十七頁。 人民民族解放軍在十二月三十日打了一個電報給我，宣稱他們已經履行了斯科比將軍所提出的一切停戰條件。這是不真實的，因此英國司令官堅持要求正式接受他的條件。 大主教答覆國王，表示接受他的命令而擔任攝政。希臘有一個生氣蓬勃的新政府。一九二二年曾領導反叛國王康斯坦丁的軍隊領袖、激烈的共和主義者普拉斯蒂拉斯將軍於一月三日作了首相。 我又從史末資將軍那裡得到一些明智的建議。 史末資元帥致首相及外交大臣 一九四四年十二月三十日 我們以深切的興趣和極大的不安的情緒注視著你們的雅典之行。這件事將對世界輿論發生深刻而有益的影響。希臘的實際情況不幸被報界描繪成一幅完全歪曲的圖畫。因此人民民族解放軍民族解放陣線被當作與支持王室事業的英國人作鬥爭的民主戰士。這雖然是捏造的，但是世界的反應，對我們非常不利。我建議，應該趁此機會，把局勢的真相揭露出來，而報界也應該把人民民族解放軍的真正面目描繪出來。這樣全世界就會看清楚，大不列顛處於朋友和盟國的地位，沒有選擇的餘地，我們應該把希臘人民所受的殘酷的痛苦加以真實的暴露，像炸毀人民的財產，無情的破壞和勒索，逮捕和處決無辜的人質，用道道地地的納粹式的恐怖方法來壓制平民等。你此次勇敢地執行使命以後，隨手把事實作一詳細而正確的說明，可以有益地扭轉輿論。我們在倫敦和雅典的情報和新聞機構現在就應該把他們已經掌握的材料公佈出來。 我們自己的部隊並沒有什麼錯覺。亞歷山大將軍以前曾寄給我一份關於他們的家信檢查的報告。我讀了之後十分感動，因此叫人把它印出來，分發給戰時內閣。這完全攻破了共產黨集團裡流傳的謊言，說我們的部隊同情人民民族解放軍那一邊。 十二月在雅典的繼續戰鬥終於把叛軍驅逐出首都。到了一月中旬，英國軍隊完全控制了阿提卡。共產黨在開闊的鄉村對我們的部隊是無能為力的，因此在一月十一日簽訂了停戰協定。人民民族解放軍的全部軍隊都應撤出雅典、薩洛尼卡和帕特雷。在伯羅奔尼撒的一部分人，可以發給他們通行證，讓他們回家去。英國軍隊將停止開火，但仍固守著。雙方的戰俘應予以釋放。這些商定辦法在十五日開始生效。 這樣結束了六個星期的雅典爭奪戰，而且最終證明了這是為了使希臘免遭共產黨的征服的戰鬥。當三百萬人正在西線的兩邊作戰，而大量的美軍正在太平洋上向日本展開陣勢的時候，希臘的突發事變看起來也許是微不足道的，然而須知這個事變是處於西方世界的權力、法律和自由的神經中樞啊！