South Yorkshire Times, 16 December 1944

Greece in Travail

There is a significant obduracy about ‘the manner in which the Greek ‘“rebels” (as General Scobie’s communiques continue to insist they are) are sticking to their guns, in more ways than one. Whatever else their action indicates it suggests that they seriously suspect the good faith of the recognised Greek Government; recognised, that is, by the British, but not apparently as yet by anything like the, majority of the people.

This does not absolve them, however, from the breach of faith of which they are guilty in failing to honour the agreement to which they subscribed in common with the other main Greek political interests and ourselves. Mr. Bevin bluntly clarified the matter at the Labour Party Conference on Wednesday when he expressed his personal surprise, a sentiment shared by the rest of the Cabinet, at the defection of E.A.M. Though some of the less responsible spirits in our own Parliament continue to demand “non-intervention,” as vociferously as they decried it in the case of the Spanish Civil War, the fact seems to be that we have become embroiled largely through the very disinterestedness of our intentions.

Had the country remained a little longer under Allied military government this deplorable situation might never have arisen. Our anxiety to eschew any semblance of unduly prolonged external management seems to have led us to countenance a government without vitality or vision. Though the E.A.M. representatives arbitrarily and prematurely washed their hands of it, there is a strong suspicion that it could not have lasted long in any event. It had neglected all important opportunities of allaying the suspicions of the mass of the Greek people. Ironically enough it was one of these omissions which set the spark to the political powder barrel. The unpurged police force, many members of which are stated to have served the Government, (whether Nazi, Metaxas dictatorship, or Allied liberated) with the zeal of the Vicar of Bray, fired the first shots, a most uncalled-for fusillade, in this stupid conflict.

General Alexander and Mr. Harold Macmillan are British representatives of responsibility and prestige, now on the spot, who should be able to hasten this unhappy chapter in Greek history to a close. There must be some form of compromise. British military might have not been built up to indulge in Balkan side-shows, and a full-scale trial of strength with E.L.A.S. forces is unthinkable.  British resources would inevitably prevail in such circumstances, but not easily.  In their mountain fastnesses the Greeks have provided themselves notable warriors, and the present demonstration has already revealed the existence of strong convictions capable of sustaining stubborn resistance.  Primary requirements are the restoration of order and the speedy arrangement of a free election in the country. The first of these essentials presents most difficulty.  It is much easier to retain than to regain control, whether it has been willingly relinquished or forcibly ceased.

Once in the saddle again we must remain there, however lightly we hold the reins, until Greece has found herself, chosen her own Government and discarded the dangerous implements of her liberation in favour of less lethal methods of debate and discussion.