Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-05-28
0verfures for Peace
In Greece Indicate
Soviet Moves Failed
New Russion Proposals
Show Retreat on Policy
Of Guerrilla Warfare
By Dorothy Thompson

VIENNA, tBy Wireless) The
European Communist press has
been interpreting the discussions
between Sir Hector Mcneil and
Andrea Gromyko. with a view to
ending the Greek war, as emanat-
ing from the Western powers mo-
tivated by the catastrophe situa-
ton of Greek armies against
''heroic guerrillas.
Actually, as reported in this
column from Greece. the situation
is exactly the reverse. The new
Russian proposals parallel those
accepted by the Greek government
In February, 1945. after the British
forces in Greece had suppressed
the attempt of Communicated
partisans to take Athens by force
on the since-familiar East Euro
pean pattern.
At that time the. idea of govern
ment coalitions, including Com
munists. still dominated even
Western allied thinking from
Europe to China. An amnesty
was signed between the Greek
government and the guerriIlas, in
Guiding all persons guilty of COM
mon law crimes. Leading Com
munists. fearing prosecution for
murder, kidnapping, etc, fed to
Yugoslavia and opened a military
training school in Bulkes. This
was before Tito's split with the
Cominform.
Slogan Parr0ted.
The first free elections were held
under United Nations supervision
In March, 1916, with Communists,
who had the right to present can
didates. refusing to participate
after their polls showed not more
than 10 per cent. SympathiZers
of the Soviets refused TO join the
U. N. observation team. Almost
simultaneously with the elections.
Communist leader Nicholas Fac
hariades denounced the Fascist
regime" which slogan has been
parroted by world Communists
and fellow travellers ever since.
The following December, guer-
rillas reopened the armed rebel
lion from Communist satellite soil,
which led to a u. N. investigation
and appointment Of U. N. spe-
cial commission for the Balkans
with the Russians again abstain
ing, and the Truman doctrine.
Mr.. Gromyko has now proposed
a return to the peace proposals
offered the guerrillaS in 1945 and
1916, and either rejected or partly
accepted and consequently vio-
lated. namely, that the powers
call for an end of hostilities and
opening of peace negotiations:
second, a general amnesty; third,
new elections with Communists in
the electoral supervisory commits
sion and fourth, United Nations
supervision of the elections this
time with Russian participation.
Dual Motive Seen.
Russian motives are probably
dual: A desire to concentrate on
Yugoslavia rather than Greece.
and final recognition that guer-
rilla hope and prediction of VIM
ming the war in 1949 hasn't the
remotest chance. The Western
powers have properly refused to
enter negotiations without the
participation Of the Greek govern
ment but 1t is highly revealing
that the Russians now are max
ing almost identical proposals to
those they rejected and the over
lures cannot be otherwise inter-
preted than q retreat.
The Greek government would
not, in view Of its present favor
able military situation. accept
anything short of surrender with
amnesty for all except those who
have committed or ordered COM
mon law crimes. This would cer-
tainly not mean amnesty for
Communist leaders who would
again have to seek protection
from their Communist brethren
In Bulgaria and Albania.
released BY the Bell Syndicate, Incl