762.6711/4: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 22—4:13 a.m.]
207. My British colleague expresses conviction (impliedly shared by his Government) that disappointing and deplorable as was action of Turkey in concluding treaty with Germany, it nevertheless should not be construed as betrayal of alliance with Britain or as a bar to operation of alliance in event of developments requiring joint defensive action in Turkish territory; and that it is therefore desirable to continue efforts to make this country as strong as possible against that eventuality.
2. For my own part, I feel that apart from immediate psychological harm done to Allied cause, real danger of this Government’s action lies not in any actual restriction which it places upon what had already evolved into a passively defensive policy but rather in the possibility that it will invite and facilitate German pressure to break down Turkish solidarity with the Allies.
[Page 868]In view therefore of suggestion in your 90,69 that supplies under Lend-Lease Act might be withheld, I venture to invite your consideration of risk of any action leading Turk Government to feel that it has lost confidence of Allies or those sympathetic with their cause and to feel in consequence that it has been abandoned to Germany.… I would urge that our Government (perhaps in consultation with British in the light of their presumed desire not to forego eventual Turkish cooperation) adopt policy of putting best possible construction on treaty and make no change in its attitude of helpfulness to Turkey unless new developments should require reconsideration.