890G.00/595a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray)
74. Several apparently authentic reports have reached the Department that guns, ammunition and other French military material are being shipped from Syria by rail to Iraq, across Turkish territory. Six French field guns and ammunition therefor are said to have been shipped several days ago, and at least 10,000 rifles, many machine guns and a large amount of ammunition were reported as being shipped about May 12. This French material may have been turned over to the Italian Armistice Commission in Syria.
According to a report from Cairo, the Turkish authorities have been asked about these shipments and have denied that they were sent through Turkish territory. Any information you may obtain in this regard is urgently requested.