740.0011 European War 1939/12125: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:18 p.m.]
195. Your 9059 (which crossed my 192 and 3 of yesterday) reached me in course of conversation in which British Ambassador showed me his 1464 to Foreign Office repeated to Washington reporting conversation yesterday with Foreign Minister from which it appeared Turks are irretrievably committed to conclude without delay proposed agreement with Germany provided latter approves Turks’ draft text which it now has under consideration. Utmost Minister feels able to promise is drawing out of negotiations in event that Germany proposes some modifications of draft.
- 2.
- Hugessen considering that Turkish decision is irrevocable feels strongly that best that can be made of bad matter is to accept situation with as good grace as possible, to prepare Allied and neutral opinion to receive it as the legalistically innocuous document which it is rather than as evidence of alienation of Turkish sympathies with Britain, and above all to avoid antagonizing Turks by any expression of disapproval on part of British Government and its friends.
- 3.
- I myself fully share his feeling that now that it is clear Turks have definitely obligated themselves it is too late to say to them anything which would not actually be harmful; and in spite of categoric nature of your instructions I have felt warranted, in view of intervening developments, in withholding action until further instructed by you.