762.67/½
The Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) to the Secretary of State
Sir: In the interview I had with the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the 20th instant, His Excellency informed me that an Ottoman delegation was going to Berlin to conclude negotiations and sign four Conventions between Germany and Turkey. The instruments to be signed are a Consular Convention, a Convention for judicial protection and assistance, an Extradition Convention, and one concerning Institutions. The Minister told me that there already is an accord between the two Governments on the main points and that the most essential feature of this accord consists in the fact that the whole matter is settled on a basis of reciprocal treatment of the subjects of the contracting parties residing respectively in the territory of the other party. Thus Germany has, according to Halil Bey, agreed in principle to the suppression of German Consular Courts in Turkey. This in itself, if it is unconditional, will naturally be construed by the Sublime Porte as a tacit acquiescence by Germany in the abrogation of Capitulations. The Minister thinks that in about one month the German and Ottoman delegates will be able to agree on the text of these Conventions. He hopes that after the matter has been concluded with Germany, the Sublime Porte will be able to make similar conventions with the other Governments including the United States.
I learn from reliable sources that Turkey, as an ally that has rendered most valuable service to Germany, expects to and may obtain from Germany more liberal terms than any other power would concede to Turkey. On the other hand it is stated that at this juncture and without endangering her own interests Germany can afford to be liberal towards Turkey, as at the end of the war, if Germany wins, she will have such a preponderating position in this country that she will practically govern Turkey, in which case any concessions she now makes to Turkey may eventually mean concessions made to Germany herself. If on the other hand the other allies win they will extort from Turkey such terms that all the capitulations, will be re-established with revisions and additions. Germany will then avail herself of the benefits of the most favored nation clause, losing nothing by the concessions she may now make to her ally. The German Embassy has not concealed the fact that it considers these days as a transitory period. I may here mention the Turco-German treaty of Commerce of 1890 in which Germany made several concessions to Turkey and in this way appeared as Turkey’s best friend. But as none of the other powers had signed and exchanged such treaties the liberal provisions [Page 775] of the treaty never went into effect, as the German Embassy benefited by the most favored nation clause.
In this connection I must mention a most significant feature in the Germano-Turkish relations. All the Ottoman Departments, except the Grand Vizirate, the Sheikhul-Islamate, the Department of the Evcaf and the Foreign Office, will hereafter have German advisers. It appears that in parliamentary circles there was some feeling against this measure. It is stated that at the Union and Progress party meeting both Talaat Bey and Halil Bey defended the measure by admitting that it is now demonstrated that those at the head of affairs were unable to properly administer the Government and the finances of the country and that they needed foreign expert assistance to carry on the work. The appointment of foreign technical advisers is not an innovation. Without mentioning the German military mission and all the German officers, I can state that a German is now acting as adviser to the Department of Public Instruction. Between 1908 and 1914 the Finance Office has had French advisers, the Navy Department as well as the Department of Justice have had British advisers. The Customs administration had Sir Richard Crawford who at one time acted also as adviser to the Finance Office. Those who acted hitherto did not in reality make their presence felt, except perhaps Sir Richard Crawford. They were looked upon more as ornaments and a luxury than as real factors in the Government machinery. Will it be the same with the Germans who will soon be appointed? The time is not ripe for me to express an opinion. But I can state for the information of the Department that both in diplomatic and Turkish circles there is a difference of opinion about the matter. While some think that this is a repetition of the old practice and that the new German advisers will shortly after their appointment be treated like their “unlistened to” predecessors, others think that this new step is one that has been imposed on Turkey by Germany and that the new advisers will play an important part in advancing German interests in this country.
I have [etc.]