867.24/176: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 17—1:15 a.m.]
342. Your 141, August 15. Although I have taken several occasions to mention to him Lease-Lend shipments to Turkey made or contemplated as outlined in your 110, June 28, Minister for Foreign Affairs has hitherto appeared uninterested and in fact politely incredulous. Apparently in consequence of arrival here few days ago of 50 howitzers, he yesterday informed me that our generous assistance had been matter of most [apparent omission] full comment among members of Cabinet at their last meeting; and he asked me to repeat while he took notes principal items specified in your telegram, and earnestly requested more up-to-date list as soon as available. He inquired up to what value Turkey might expect to receive such materials; and I explained that I understood question was one not of any fixed limit but of priorities among those requiring aid; and that although its application presented some practical difficulties general principle adopted was that Turkey should enjoy along with American Republics priority next after those countries actually fighting. He was profuse in expressions of gratitude.
2. Both at beginning and at end of this discussion he remarked solemnly and oracularly that nobody can foresee what may develop next spring and that Turkey must in meanwhile build up modernized army.