740.0011 European War 1939/13857: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 11—4 p.m.]
3550. My 3511, August 8, 10 p.m. Reference English text of proposed Soviet Government’s declaration to Turkey. Mr. Eden gave me today the following text of a declaration which has been made by the British Government to the Turkish Government:
“(Oral preamble.) In view of anti-Russian propaganda by the Germans, His Majesty’s Government and the Soviet Government have considered it right to reaffirm categorically their attitude towards Turkey in order that the Turkish Government may be under no delusion in the formation of their policies towards Great Britain and the Soviet Union.
(Written declaration.) His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom affirm their fidelity to the Montreux Convention and assure the Turkish Government that they have no aggressive intentions or claims with regard to the Straits. His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, as also the Soviet Government, are prepared scrupulously to observe the territorial integrity of the Turkish Republic.
While fully appreciating the desire of the Turkish Government not to be involved in war, His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, as also the Soviet Government, would nevertheless be prepared to render Turkey every help and assistance in the event of her being attacked by any European power.
His Majesty’s Ambassador70 has at the same time addressed a note to the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs71 stating that, as far as His Majesty’s Government are concerned, the proposed declaration is intended to be merely a repetition of our undertaking towards Turkey as set out in article 1 of the Anglo-Turkish treaty of the 19th October, 1939.71a The declaration does not in any way modify, extend or detract from the Anglo-Turkish treaty.”
Following is text given me by Mr. Eden of the declaration made by the Soviet Government to the Turkish Government.
“(Oral preamble.) As late as March, 1941, that is to say during the period of well-known treaty relations between the U. S. S. R. and Germany, the Soviet Government exchanged assurances with the Government of the Turkish Republic in connection with reports that were then being spread to the effect that if Turkey were compelled to enter the war Russia would take advantage of Turkey’s difficulties to attack her. It will be recalled that the Soviet Government for their part considered it necessary at that time to declare that such reports in no way corresponded to the attitude of the U. S. S. R. and that if Turkey were in fact attacked and compelled to enter the war for the defence of her territory she could count on full understanding and neutrality of the U. S. S. R. on the basis of the nonaggression pact between the two countries.
It is known that after the treacherous attack of Nazi Germany on the U. S. S. R., the Germans conducted and are still conducting a malicious propaganda against the U. S. S. R. intended inter alia to bring about discord between the U. S. S. R. and Turkey.
In view of the fact that this propaganda, which is being intensively conducted by the German Government, has become even stronger at present and considering that in the present international situation it is opportune that an exchange of views should take place between the Soviet Government and the Turkish Government on the subject of relations between the U. S. S. R., Turkey and Great Britain, the Soviet Government have instructed me, M. le Ministre, to make to Your Excellency the following declaration.
(Written declaration.) The Soviet Government confirm their fidelity to the Montreux Convention and assure the Turkish Government that they have no aggressive intentions or claims with regard to the Straits. The Soviet Government, as also His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, are prepared scrupulously to observe the territorial integrity of the Turkish Republic.
While fully appreciating the desire of the Turkish Government not to be involved in war the Soviet Government, as also His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, would nevertheless be prepared to render Turkey every help and assistance in the event of her being attacked by any European power.”
When he gave me these two papers Mr. Eden said they had not hoped here for so quick a response from Russia to the suggestion that a Russian declaration be made to Ankara and that they are much gratified by the quick action. The British Ambassador in Ankara has reported that the Turkish Government is greatly pleased by the Soviet declaration and has expressed the wish that both the British and the Soviet declarations be made public. The British agree and Mr. Eden believes that the Russians will also although no reply to the request has yet been received.