740.0011 European War 1939/6881: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:35 p.m.]
211. Referring to Belgrade’s telegram to the Department, No. 543, November 23, 5 p.m., Turkish Foreign Office estimates number of German troops in Rumania at 25 to 30,000. Reliable Rumanian and Yugoslav sources here give a similar figure.
The Embassy understands that the Turkish Government, which is watching carefully for any evidence of German preparations for military operations in the Balkans, has no information indicating that such preparations are in progress.
Turkish official circles incline to the opinion that Germany (which they consider to be pleased at the demonstration of the political and military incapacity of its ally) does not contemplate going to the aid of Italy in the near future.
Repeated to Belgrade.