740.0011 European War 1939/9931: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 13—2:47 p.m.]
98. [For] Secretary and Under Secretary. British Ambassador has been greatly reassured and heartened by very frank talks which he had yesterday with Foreign Minister and today with President Inönü.
2. In first of these he spoke unreservedly of aloofness and chill that has recently come over Turkish attitude and has set going everywhere rumors that this country is drifting towards Axis. Saraçoğlu in equally candid reply explained that British demand for breaking off relations with Germany and Italy had revived Turks suspicions that British were trying to push them into war despite Eden’s promise. He said no political proposal such as rumored offer of nonaggression pact had yet been made by Germans although he rather expected it would be sooner or later.
In conversation with President (in which Foreign Minister and General Cornwall took part) solidarity of interests was apparently taken for granted and discussion turned almost wholly upon military aspects of present situation and developments to be anticipated. Cornwall just back from inspection of Thracian frontier defenses frankly pointed out that Cakmak line along Bulgarian frontier would prove no more than a trap as soon as floods in Maritza had gone down enough to permit crossing of that undefended boundary by German armored divisions already based on Dedeagac: and he even urged withdrawal to Catalac line. Both he and Hugessen were convinced of President’s wholehearted sincerity.
3. I believe Cornwall (who it is understood would command British forces in event of operations here) has reported home his judgment that Turkey’s involvement under present circumstances could result only in quick disaster and that every effort should be made to postpone it at least until next year.
4. I also understand that he has persuaded to acquiescence in this view certain Yugoslav staff officers now here on secret mission who had urged British to put pressure upon Turks to create diversion.
5. Greek Ambassador is also understood to be considerably reassured as to Turkish attitude. On recent request from him Turkish Foreign Office has recently intervened successfully with German Embassy to arrange for return from refuge in Turkish territory of Greek local officials and police to no man’s land between frontier and advanced German forces.
Repeated Athens.