867.24/198: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:43 p.m.]
430. Your 200, November 6, 8 p.m. Considering it prudent to make sure of the attitude of the Turkish Government with regard to the proposed press release I took the matter up with the Foreign Office and the Secretary General has now informed me that his Government desired to make two observations:
The first (on which he said he would not insist) was an inquiry as to whether it would be possible to substitute for “the defense of Turkey” “the integrity and independence of Turkey”. I said I did not think that could be done as the formula used was the one contemplated by the law itself. Secondly, his Government did not like the second paragraph because there might be read into it the implication [Page 928] that Turkey was conspiring with the United States and Great Britain against some one. I gathered that the Turks fear being embarrassed in their policy of neutrality by an official announcement which would too pointedly emphasize their cooperation with one side.
2. I am inclined to question the desirability of issuing the contemplated formal statement to the press lest it give rise in the minds of the Turks and others to a false conception of our complacency towards their recent treaties with Germany; and I suggest that if possible the press be advised of the necessary finding by the President only through an informal statement made at a press conference. If, however, it is not possible to dispense with a formal statement I recommend that the second paragraph be omitted in accordance with understanding of Turkish Government.