711.672/325a
The Secretary of State to Senator William E. Borah
My Dear Senator Borah: It is my understanding that the Treaties concluded between the United States and Turkey on August 6, 1923 are now before the Committee on Foreign Relations.
In a letter to the late Senator Lodge dated May 5th last, of which I attach a copy,19 I described the negotiations which led up to the conclusions of these treaties and outlined the considerations which led me to believe that American interests would best be served by prompt ratification.
The events which have occurred during the past six months have confirmed this view. During this period the treaties concluded by the Allied Powers at Lausanne with the new Turkish Republic have been ratified and have gone into effect and Turkey has negotiated additional treaties with most of the other Powers of Europe. Further, since the date of my letter to Senator Lodge Turkey has carried out substantial reforms in her judicial organization and in administrative matters as provided for under the new Constitution of the Turkish Republic of April 20, 1924.
American citizens who have interests in Turkey, whether of a philanthropic, educational or commercial character, have consistently [Page 725] urged the early ratification of the Treaties. It is now sixteen months since our treaty with Turkey was signed at Lausanne and in view of recent developments this Government will be at a serious disadvantage in safeguarding these legitimate American interests unless early action is taken to regularize our relations with that country. The Treaty of August 6th furnishes what I consider to be an appropriate, and the only present available, basis for so doing.
I should be very glad at any time to take up with you any phase of this matter in greater detail or to lay before the Committee any information which might be helpful in connection with the consideration of the treaties with Turkey.
The matter is one which I consider to be of real urgency.
I am [etc.]