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#680, Nineteenth, from London
penal code or the rules of war. General Plastiras yesterday
confirmed this to our Ambassador. He said it was still the policy
of the Greek Government and he specifically authorized me to
tell that to the House of Commons today. Therefore the only rebels
liable to prosecution are those guilty of ordinary crimes against
the criminal code. He repeated this instruction which is an instruction
of the Greek Government to the Military Governor of Africa to
the head of the gendarmerie and the head of the police. He told
them that no political arrests are to be made. People charged
on such charges as murder rape and looting are having their cases
investigated immediately and if no prima facie case exists they
are to be discharged. A panel of 75 judges or magistrates is
already at work to effect that. I have only one thing to add
about the various Plastiras reports. The report in the press
that General Gonatas is appointed Governor of Macedonia is not
accurate. I think I have covered all the realm of charge
Mr. Bevan: The Right Honorable Gentleman's statement is exceedingly
important and so far has been satisfactory in detail but I read
out a statement made by the Greek Minister to British press representatives
in Athens in which he said they were going to release all prisoners
except those who bore arms. Does the Right Honorable Gentleman
assume that the Greek