711.6712A/4: Telegram

The Ambassador in Turkey (Grew) to the Secretary of State

50. Department’s 27, March 27, 6 p.m. In interview last night with Minister for Foreign Affairs on his return from Geneva and Milan he inquired on his own initiative and without my broaching the subject whether the United States did not intend to extend its “outlawry of war” treaties4 to nations other than the great powers. He had apparently not yet heard that the proposal had already been made to certain of the smaller powers and he implied quite openly that Turkey would welcome such a proposal and asked me to consider the matter. He added that if I thought it desirable, he, himself, after discussing the question with the Ghazi, would propose such a treaty with the United States. He said that in his opinion such international pacts should include a neutrality clause in order to obviate any possibility of combinations of powers and that if arbitration treaties were included the circle would be complete. He said that in addition to the neutrality nonaggression pacts which Turkey had already concluded, he had begun similar negotiations with a number of other powers including the [apparent omission].

Of course I was not in a position to discuss the matter with the Minister in any way. This development leaves the situation such that I fear the full moral effect of offering such treaties to Turkey will be lost unless the offer can be made shortly. I must proceed to Angora before long when the Minister will no doubt broach the subject again. If at that time the offer could be made to Moukhtar Bey and confirmed by me it would make an effective impression. While fully appreciating the situation in the Senate I hope that the Department will earnestly consider the foregoing facts in deciding when it can properly proceed with the suggestion contained in its telegram 27, March 27, 6 p.m.

This telegram is necessarily sent in … code as wires from Constantinople are temporarily broken so that radio must be used.

Grew