811.20 Defense(M)/3596: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray)
194. The Department has received the following telegram from London:
[Here follows telegram No. 5070, printed supra.]
The Department agrees completely with London’s decision, as expressed in paragraph 4 of London’s 5070, to center their activities having to do with chrome in their Embassy at Ankara, and intends similarly to center its activities in your Embassy.
The Department also believes the general line of suggestion as to price and buying policy set forth in London’s 5070 to be sound and promising, especially in regard to the suggestion of buying f. o. b. Mersin, Payas, and Iskenderon. Before formulating final definite instructions to you, however, it seems useful to wait until the British Embassy in Washington has received a reply from the British Government in response to two cables that it has sent after discussion with us. These apparently crossed London’s 5070. One contained suggestions on policy; the second was a cable from Washington on October 27, requesting data on chrome production, stocks, and movements during 1941. We surmise that it is probable these cables have been repeated to the British Embassy at Ankara.
Meanwhile, it would be useful for you fully to consult with your British colleague.
All interested agencies of this Government have been concentrating attention on the greatly desired objective of securing as much chrome from Turkey as possible between now and the end of 1942. It is realized that this is a question involving the maintenance of the highest possible rate of production at points and places from which the chrome can be shipped; second, the best utilization of available railway transport; third, the making of arrangements for ship transport.
[Page 968]All of this it must be realized must be done under the changing circumstances created by the war.
It is thought that perhaps more will be achieved if the Federal Loan Agency (Metals Reserve Company) has on the spot working towards this end a small and properly selected group of representatives to concentrate on this matter, to keep in close touch with the Turkish authorities, and to advise the different branches of this Government as to what needs to be done at any particular moment. It may even be that by providing a small measure of extra financial inducement or equipment this Government could directly help to get increased amounts.
Would the Embassy advise as to the usefulness of such representatives, as to how they would be received by the Turkish authorities. Furthermore, we would be glad to receive from the Embassy recommendations as to any Americans whose recent or present experience in Turkey would appear to qualify them particularly well for such an assignment.
Furthermore, since it is the intention of the Department to center activities relating to the chrome program in your hands, you are requested to report your general advice and suggestions as fully and expeditiously as possible.