867.24/169: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray)
152. Your 312, August 25. As you correctly indicated to the British Ambassador, the Department is not prepared to give Turkey preference over the American Republics and nations actively resisting aggression. The British Embassy here has been so informed by the Secretary and Under Secretary on several occasions, the latest being on August 27.
It has been found, however, that the formula of “parity with the American Republics” does not provide at present a wholly satisfactory working basis because of its generality and because the needs of those countries and Turkey are often not the same. At the present time therefore no attempt is being made to follow a rigid priority formula with regard to Turkey. The Department is in close contact with the appropriate agencies of the Government and is taking up Turkish requests item by item with a view to determining what articles can be spared. Each case is decided on its own merits in [Page 901] the light of all demands for the commodity involved. It is hoped that within a very short time approval can be obtained for a part of the pending requests, and you will be informed of the items so approved.
It is felt that any statement to the Prime Minister had best be postponed until the Department is able to furnish you details of steps actually taken to meet Turkey’s needs.