811.20 Defense (M)/33: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Kennedy)

1820. Department’s 1680, July 9, 6 p.m. Mr. Marris of the Ministry of Economic Warfare, now in this country,7 suggests that any approach to the Turkish Government by the British Government in connection with this Government’s purchases of chromite would almost certainly become known and might endanger the safe passage of vessels through the Mediterranean carrying chromite to the United States. It may be desirable therefore for this Government to approach the Turkish Government directly but the Department will await a report on your conversations with British officials.

Marris also indicated that the British Government has been purchasing much more chromite from Turkey than it requires and probably would be willing to relinquish some of its present claim on Turkish chromite in favor of this Government so that the American proportion might be considerably higher than the former French allocation. Please explore this possibility since this Government will wish to secure reserve stocks as rapidly as possible. It is essential however that the Turkish Government should be able to arrange adequate shipping and should offer a reasonable price. The British Government might help on the price situation in order to rid itself of the necessity of purchasing unneeded supplies from Turkey.

Hull
  1. A. D. Marris, First Secretary of the British Embassy.