762.6711/12: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray)
111. Your no. 214, June 23, 5 p.m.74 It is observed, from your telegram under reference, that the Turkish Press, in commenting on the recent German-Turkish pact, points out that the pact will mean that the British fleet will not be permitted by Turkey to pass through the Straits, although no reference is made to any prohibition against German use of the Straits, by naval vessels or otherwise.
It is recalled that during the campaign in Crete, Turkey permitted vessels loaded with German troops to transit the Dardanelles from the Black Sea for the purpose of fighting British and Greek forces in Greece and the Aegean Islands (see your 156, May 19, noon, Section Two, third paragraph75) in apparent disregard, inter alia, of the Greek-Turkish treaty of April 27, 1938,76 negotiated at Turkey’s instance, providing that if either Greece or Turkey should be the object of unprovoked attack, the other would safeguard its neutrality, by force of arms if necessary, to prevent its territory from being used for the passage of troops.
In view of the foregoing, it would appear that Turkey may afford to the Germans facilities in transiting the Straits which might be denied to the British or to Britain’s allies. Your comments are requested, after discussion with the Turkish authorities if you consider desirable.