861.77 Chinese Eastern/596: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:37 p.m.]
73. Department’s circular December 1, 4 p.m., received December 3. I took first train to Angora and last evening presented your statement orally to the Minister for Foreign Affairs who heartily applauds your action. Although the latest news despatches indicate that the Russo-Chinese conflict has ceased and that negotiations for a pacific solution have already been agreed upon, the Minister for Foreign Affairs states that he will endeavor to formulate and to issue an appropriate public declaration in line with your proposal.
[Page 391][Paraphrase.] Evidently the Russian Ambassador at Angora has held the ear of the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs constantly and has convinced him that White Russians, serving with Chinese troops and inciting them, engineered the attacks in Manchuria. This being assured, it is evident also that the Foreign Minister fears that the Soviet Government would bitterly resent the Turkish Government’s issuing even an impartial note, such as yours, so it appears very doubtful whether the Foreign Minister sees his way clear to doing it. Nevertheless, I strongly urged him, and at great length, to take full part in your action. He promises in due course to inform me of any action he may take. [End paraphrase.]