611.6731/131: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Grew) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 6—7:44 a.m.]
37. Reference my despatch No. 727, April 27. It appears from recent conversations in Angora that, although both the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Turkish chairman of their treaty delegation recognize that the proposed negotiations with the United States envisage only a simple convention, not a comprehensive treaty of commerce, they would like, nevertheless, to have included in it the mutual application of most-favored-nation treatment to both customs matters and navigation. I hope, therefore, the Department, in formulating its instructions, will inform me regarding its views upon this question, in order that I may be ready at the start of negotiations to take a definite position. Should the Department not desire reference to navigation, I shall, of course, hold the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs to his original oral agreement with me, covering customs matters exclusively.