between His Majesty's Government and the United States Government for the abolition of the slave trade. In communicating this notice to you, I am instructed to state that this action is taken in accordance with the general policy of His Majesty's Government to abolish all obsolete instruments since the circumstances under which these Treaties were negotiated are now happily past. I have [etc.] 711.419/ A. C. GEDDES The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Geddes) WASHINGTON, June 5, 1922. EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note Number 323, dated April 27, 1922, by which on instructions from your Government you give formal notice of the denunciation of the Treaty and Convention between the United States and Great Britain for the abolition of the slave trade. The Treaty for the Suppression of African Slave Trade, concluded between the United States and Great Britain, on April 7, 1862,51 will as a consequence of the notice of denunciation from your Government and by operation of the provisions of Article XII of the Treaty, as understood by this Government, cease and determine on April 29, 1923, which marks the expiration of one year after the date of the receipt of Your Excellency's note by this Department, and at the same time will cease and determine the Additional Article to that Treaty, concluded on February 17, 1863,52 and the Convention for the Suppression of Slave Trade, concluded on June 3, 1870,58 which by provisions of the Additional Article and Article VII of the Convention, respectively, have the same duration as the Treaty of April 7, 1862. Accept [etc.] CHARLES E. HUGHES FAILURE TO SECURE RATIFICATION OF THE CABLE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES, GREAT BRITAIN, AND ITALY, SIGNED AT THE PRELIMINARY COMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE OF 1920 (See volume I, pp. 538 ff.) Malloy, Treaties, 1776-1909, vol. 1, p. 674. "Ibid., p. 687. "Ibid., p. 693. GREECE ATTITUDE OF THE UNITED STATES TOWARD RECOGNITION OF THE GREEK GOVERNMENT1 868.001 C 76/42 The Chargé in Greece (Caffery) to the Secretary of State Greek Series No. 946 ATHENS, March 23, 1922. [Received April 21.] SIR: I have the honor to report that the Prime Minister, Mr. Gounaris, has endeavored to take up with me the question as to the recognition by the United States Government of King Constantine. I told Mr. Gounaris that I was in no way authorized to discuss the question but that I would report to the Department of State the fact that he wished to take it up. He added that the Greek Government was disposed to meet practically any terms of the American Government in this regard, and asked if the American Government would care to stipulate under what conditions the recognition would be considered. I have [etc.] JEFFERSON CAFFERY 868.001 C 76/45: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Greece (Caffery) WASHINGTON, May 8, 1922-5 p.m. 37. Your 56, April 30, 10 p. m.2 Department is not yet convinced that the moment has arrived to accord recognition but this matter is being given careful consideration. It is important that the Department should be promptly informed of any indications that the attitude of the Allies toward recognition will be modified. On February 25 the British Ambassador stated that his Government felt that the present would be an inconvenient moment for the United States Government to recognize Constantine. While the atti For previous correspondence, see Foreign Relations, 1921, vol. п, pp. 138 ff. 'Not printed. 409 tude of the Allied Powers is not of course controlling in this matter, in view of other pending questions it must necessarily be taken into consideration. HUGHES 868.001 C 76/62 The Chargé in Greece (Caffery) to the Secretary of State Greek Series No. 1030 ATHENS, May 12, 1922. SIR: With reference to the Department's telegram No. 35, dated April 29 [28], 1922, regarding the recognition of King Constantine, I have the honor to report that recently I have been asked whether it would be possible for me to meet, informally and unofficially, King Constantine, as he desired to have an informal talk with me. I have consistently replied to these inquiries that, while under ordinary circumstances I would be delighted to meet King Constantine, under conditions now prevailing, for obvious reasons, the meeting was out of the question. I have [etc.] JEFFERSON CAFFERY 888.001 C 76/69: Telegram The Chargé in Greece (Caffery) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] ATHENS, September 27, 1922-8 p. m. [Received September 28-7: 59 a. m.] 129. This morning King Constantine abdicated. Proclamation in his name begs all parties to avoid civil strife and to unite in support of his successor. This afternoon the Crown Prince took oath as George II to maintain the constitution. Revolutionary troops now entering Athens, which is comparatively [quiet]. Machinery of government is considerably disorganized, as revolutionary chiefs have not yet arrived and new Cabinet not formed. There is confusion in statements and programs of leaders. But most of them anticipate that, as Constantine has been sacrificed to conciliate Allied Powers, there will now be a revision of the proposed terms of peace with Turkey. Nevertheless they declare intention in any case to refuse terms and continue the war. CAFFERY 'Not printed. 868.00/301: Telegram The Chargé in Greece (Caffery) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] ATHENS, October 26, 1922-8 p. m. [Received October 27-3: 45 a. m.] 150. Venizelists are imputing responsibility for disaster in Asia Minor to their political opponents. On this charge many arrests are being made and executions are demanded. The authorities plan immediate trial of the accused by special court martial. Informal but energetic protests against court martial are being lodged with Minister for Foreign Affairs by most of my colleagues, including British and French, who are also pressing me to make informal and personal representations. I shall not move in the matter, however, without instructions from the Department. Our informal recommendation of a fair trial for the accused might perhaps be effective, as the prestige of the United States is the highest here at present. CAFFERY 868.00/301: Telegram The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Greece (Caffery) WASHINGTON, November 1, 1922-2 p. m. 76. Your 150, October 26, 8 p. m. and 152 October 27 9 P. M. You may in your discretion orally and informally indicate to Greek authorities that arbitrary action in the trial or execution of political prisoners in Greece would in your own opinion undoubtedly make an unfortunate impression in this country. PHILLIPS 868.00/308: Telegram The Chargé in Greece (Caffery) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] ATHENS, November 2, 1922-11 p.m. [Received November 3-4:36 a.m.] 158. I received a call today from members of the revolutionary committee tendering the thanks of the authorities for help given the refugees by American relief organizations. They referred also to Latter not printed. See "American Relief Activities on Behalf of Greeks Evacuated from Turkish Territory," pp. 414 ff. arrest and trial of political prisoners, and solicited my opinion. In reply I explained that an unfortunate impression would be created in the United States if they proceeded to arbitrary measures. I was then given assurance that an order would be issued for release of all political prisoners not actually implicated in disaster in Asia Minor, and that measures would be taken to insure a fair trial for those charged with misconduct. CAFFERY 868.00/322: Telegram The Chargé in Greece (Caffery) to the Secretary of State ATHENS, November 28, 1922—11 p.m. [Received November 29-1: 24 a.m.] 175. My 169, November 20, 1 p.m. Yesterday several hundred Venizelist officers presented to revolutionary committee demand for immediate execution of chief political prisoners threatening lives of committee in case of refusal. Therefore trial was rushed through all night and six principal accused were condemned and executed this morning. British representative is sending note to Foreign Office announcing rupture of diplomatic relations and is leaving tonight for London. Counselor left unofficially in charge of British interests. CAFFERY 868.00/339a: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Greece (Caffery) WASHINGTON, December 1, 1922—5 p. m. 84. Execution of Greek political leaders has caused a most unfavorable impression in this country and Department fears that it may seriously affect the popular response to appeals which are now being made for the raising of funds to assist in meeting the refugee situation in Greece. While avoiding any statement which might be interpreted as an interference in the internal affairs of Greece, you may in your discretion, either orally or in a personal communication, make this clear to the Greek authorities, indicating that you believe that in their own interests they would desire to avoid further action which would impede the work of relief or embarrass American agencies in their efforts to meet the emergency in Greece. HUGHES 'Not printed. |