740.0011 European War 1939/8474: Telegram
The Minister in Greece (MacVeagh) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:05 p.m.]
81. The Turkish Ambassador21b tells me that following the publication of the new Turco-Bulgarian Declaration22 he had a long talk last night with the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs during which the latter repeatedly asserted the Greek Government’s complete confidence that Turkey will enter the war if Bulgaria allows the passage of German troops. In talking with the Ambassador he qualified the declaration as “insignificant and ill-judged”, and ascribed it to British policy, which he declared has always erred in handling Bulgaria. He said he believes it might have served a useful purpose 3 months ago, but can now only lead to misunderstanding and controversy and that he has informed his Government of his attitude as well as of the Greek reaction. The Director General of the Foreign Office has just expressed to me substantially similar views. He believes the Declaration to be an effort in the right direction at the wrong time and that the effect on Bulgaria may actually be to weaken, rather than stiffen whatever resistance she may offer to German pressure. He pointed out, however, that Turkey’s obligations to Greece and Great Britain are expressly not affected by the Declaration and he, therefore, does not believe that the situation has been essentially altered in any way.