867.24/206: Telegram
The Chargé in Turkey (Kelley) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 6—4:45 p.m.]
467. Referring to my preceding telegram,13 according to information received from a variety of sources, the President’s announcement has made a considerable impression in Turkey. The Embassy has been reliably informed that the Turkish press has been advised not to play the matter up, apparently with a view to avoiding provoking the Germans. In commenting on the announcement for the benefit of newspapermen the Director General of the Press Bureau emphasized particularly two points: first, that the action of the President was an act of friendship towards Turkey for which the Turks were very grateful, and second, that it indicated that the United States fully understood and had confidence in Turkish policy. Among foreign diplomats and newspapermen there is the feeling that our action strengthens Turkey’s position and will tend to encourage her to resist German pressure.
- Not printed.↩