Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The British Commonwealth; The Near East and Africa, Volume III

811.20 Defense(M)/3366a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray)

Washington, September 20, 1941—2 p.m.

162. Your 345, September 18, 1 p.m. has been repeated to London.³¹ The Department has added that it is inclined to concur with your suggestion but has instructed the Embassy to discuss the matter with the British authorities and afford them an opportunity for comment before action is taken here. A reply by Tuesday³² at the latest has been requested.

Meanwhile, please inform the Turkish authorities that your Government attaches the greatest importance to chrome and has the matter under urgent consideration. You should if you find it necessary insist that the Turkish Government avoid any agreement with Germany regarding chrome until we have had an opportunity to present our views to the Turkish authorities.

Hull

31. In telegram No. 3935, infra.
32. September 23.