Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1940, General, Volume I

740.00110 European War 1930/285

Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of State ( Berle ) to President Roosevelt

[ Washington ,] April 6, 1940.

Subject: Sending a representative to the Mohammedan and Greek Orthodox Churches.

Summary

This matter was discussed with the Turkish Ambassador. He pointed out the extreme delicacy of the question in Turkey, owing to the Turkish policy of reducing the political importance of the Mohammedan church.

He thought, however, that his government would consider the matter sympathetically, in view of the objective; and suggested that we make inquiry through Ankara.

Recommended: That the inquiry be made by personal letter from the President to President Inönü; we will try our hands at drafting such a letter, if the President authorizes it.¹³

Attached: memorandum to the President;¹⁴ also, memorandum of conversation with the Turkish Ambassador.¹⁵

A. A. B[erle], Jr.

13. Marginal note reads: “O.K. F.D.R.”
14. Not printed, but this memorandum is a summary of it.
15. Supra.