711.6712A/19: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey ( Grew ) to the Secretary of State
83. 1. [Paraphrase.] In conversation with Minister for Foreign Affairs on May 19 I carried out Department’s specific instructions contained in telegram No. 41, April 25, 6 p.m. The Minister now informs me, nevertheless, in a personal letter dated June 1916 that although the Turkish Government after having studied texts submitted by Mouhtar Bey welcomes the proposals of the United States and finds that the objectives of the two Governments are identical, he deems it desirable that article 2 of proposed arbitration treaty be revised; obviously for the reasons set forth in my No. 61, April 20, 2 p.m. [End paraphrase.]
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4. Minister of Foreign Affairs states [that] in first convention of this character, recently concluded with Italy,17 the Turkish Government insisted upon and obtained a formula designed for a like purpose.
5. He adds that since the American Government seems to desire the conclusion of two treaties rather than a single convention in spite of the single pact concluded with France, it will be necessary to insert the same reservations in the treaty of conciliation as in the arbitration treaty.
[Page 948]6. Minister for Foreign Affairs states that Turkish Ambassador in Washington has been telegraphically instructed to submit this “little modification rather of form than of substance” together with an explanation of motives of Turkish Government and he requests me with the full knowledge of the situation to explain the necessity which circumstances impose on the Turkish Government to maintain this formula.
7. I propose, unless the Department has other wishes, to reply to the Minister in a personal letter in French, stating:
“While I did not fail to bring to the attention of my Government the views expressed to me by Your Excellency on April 19 last I have now again cabled to Washington explaining further the points contained in your letter under reference. Your Excellency will, however, recollect the considerations which I had the honor to advance in our conversation of May 19th, to the effect that while my Government would welcome the inclusion of [the] Turkish Government among those with which it has concluded and is negotiating arbitration and conciliation treaty [treaties], nevertheless, it is the desire of my Government to negotiate substantially identical treaties; so that if different procedures are adopted to satisfy each country’s peculiar susceptibilities and apprehensions, it will be impossible to carry out the American program. I feel sure, however, that my Government, as a result of my explanations, will have a perfectly clear conception of Your Excellency’s point of view.”
8. Please instruct.