740.0011 European War 1939/12222: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 20—3:24 a.m.]
199. (1) The following is a translation of the French version of the Turco-German Treaty64 as published by the semi-official Anatolian Agency signed last evening.
Turkey and Germany animated by the desires to establish their relations upon a basis of mutual confidence and sincere friendship have decided while reserving the already existing engagements of each of them to conclude a treaty and for this purpose have named as their respective plenipotentiaries to wit the President of the Turkish Republic, Mr. Sükrü Saraçoğlu, Deputy of Izmir, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Chancellor of German Reich, His Excellency Mr. Franz von Papen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at Ankara, who after having exchanged their full powers found in good and due form have agreed upon the following provisions.
- Article I. Turkey and Germany undertake to respect mutually the integrity and inviolability of their territories and to [abstain] from any action directly or indirectly against other contracting party.
- Article II. Turkey, Germany undertake to enter into friendly contact in future in regard to all questions affecting their common interests in order to reach an agreement with regard to solution of such questions.
- Article III. The present treaty which comes into force on the date of its signature will be valid for a period of 10 years. High contracting parties shall consult each other in due time with regard to question of its extension.
The present treaty shall be ratified and the instruments of ratification shall be exchanged with the least possible delay in Berlin.
[Page 863]Done in duplicate in Turkish and German languages, the two texts having equal value, Ankara June 18, 1941.
(2) Upon the occasion of the signature of treaty Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs made the following statement to press.
Turkey and Germany which for centuries were never opposed to each other during the vicissitudes of world events and whose mutual positions have remained always clear and correct have just by the treaty the text of which is published today based their friendship upon the most solid foundation and confirm that in the future likewise they will not be opposed to each other.
Thus by this treaty the Turkish and German nations have once more shaken hands in a new atmosphere of absolute security.
As will be seen from the text the existing contractual obligations of the two parties are reserved and it is confirmed that these obligations are not opposed to the basic ideas of the treaty.
I welcome with great pleasure the signature of this treaty which constitutes an important historical document of friendship and on this occasion I consider it my duty to make special mention of the valuable efforts which my friend, Mr. von Papen, who knows my country very well, has exerted in order to arrive at this result.
In view of the conclusion of the negotiations for the treaty we are in accord with the Delegate, Ambassador von Papen, in expressing the desire that the publications of the press and the radio broadcasts of our countries be carried on in the spirit of friendship and mutual confidence which characterizes the relations between Turkey and Germany.
(3) German Ambassador made following statement to Turkish press through Anatolian Agency:
Happy conclusion of treaty which has just been signed gave His Excellency, Minister for Foreign Affairs, occasion to address to press certain remarkable words for which I thank him heartily. This treaty again confirms former relations of confidence and friendship which have united our countries for centuries and which were temporarily troubled only by misunderstandings concerning aims of policy which desires to give Europe a new and better order and a lasting peace. We should also consider importance of present treaty within framework of great historical events of our epoch. This agreement is at same time proof that German Reich and Allied Powers in their struggle for a new order based upon justice in Europe have resolved to assure to Turkey and to Turkish people who have always taken safeguarding of their independence as dominating principle of their foreign policy, place and influence due them as heritage of a long and glorious history and as a connecting link between the West and Near East. In praising constant efforts of my very honored friend, Minister for Foreign Affairs, for bringing this treaty to successful conclusion and in expressing to him my very sincere thanks I am very glad that decision of Chancellor of Reich and of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Reich has made it possible for me to sign this memorable document since in this way I am in a position after having fought in ranks of Ottoman Army and side by side [Page 864] with sons of this nation for a great common cause to persevere henceforth in this task in field of peace. This country and this nation have always been imbued with unshakable sense of justice; we may also hope that despite all vicious propaganda there will develop a new comprehension of imperative necessity of process of historical regeneration which our generation is witnessing. As Minister for Foreign Affairs mentioned just now Government of Reich and Government of Republic in connection with occasion of happy conclusion of treaty are agreed in expressing desire that press of two countries as well as radio broadcasting stations of two countries will always be guided in their publications by spirit of friendship and mutual confidence which characterize German-Turkish relations.
- Official text printed in Turkey’s Official Gazette, No. 4849, July 2, 1941.↩