867.602/28: Telegram
The Special Mission at Lausanne to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:34 p.m.]
121. Ismet informed Child last night during conversation which had been prompted by representations received from some other source that:
No economic concessions in Turkey were being given to foreigners in return for political concessions at Lausanne. The principle of the Open Door meets with entire approval from the Turkish Government.
Bidders offering the best terms would be awarded contracts for carrying out public development or construction projects in Turkey, and no consideration would be given to nationality of the bidder or to other matters not related to the welfare of the enterprise. Ismet observed that if, for example, Americans or Italians or others should present their bids before the definite award of a contract for the building of a port at Mersina, the concern which offered the best terms would be granted the contract, although for months the French had been negotiating for a concession and their proposals were under discussion at the moment in Angora.
Ismet made explicit declaration that the Turkish Government was not trading its petroleum properties or interests to any foreign [Page 928] power in return for equivalent concessions to Turkey in drafting the treaty at Lausanne.