268 Evatt to Addison

I have received your letter of the 17th May and have also seen a note from your secretary regarding the assembling date of the British contingent of observers for the revision of the Greek electoral registers. [1] Australia has a very great interest in Greece because of the number of Australians who fought there, and the Australian people have all through the war watched with sympathy the developments in Greece.

I am disturbed therefore by the decision to hold a plebiscite this year. The Regent [2] told me that a plebiscite would not be held until 1948, and this was later confirmed by the Foreign Office to me in October last year. I think a grave mistake has been made and if the plebiscite is held there will be dangers of Fascist resurgence and continued trouble.

In these circumstances, I do not feel we can agree to send observers for the revision of the Greek electoral registers. I hope that if any development of the future permits it, that the United Kingdom Government will endeavour to postpone the plebiscite until next year. [3]