867.24/378: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey ( Steinhardt ) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 11—3:40 p.m.]
22. Department’s 385, August 8. I am most gratified to learn the 15,000 tons of wheat which were to be shipped from the United States as fill-in cargo in response to Prime Minister’s urgent request for shipment of wheat from the United States are to be furnished by MESC out of early wheat arrivals in Near East. I assume Turk authorities will welcome arrangement proposed by the Department which means an earlier delivery of wheat.
In my opinion it is important it be made unmistakably clear to Turk Government these 15,000 tons of wheat originate with the United States and are being delivered to Turkey in direct response to Prime Minister’s appeal to the United States for wheat. It should be noted the Turks invariably regard themselves as beholden to the British for all supplies received from MESC. A failure to make it clear to the Turks these additional 15,000 tons of wheat are of American origin delivered in response to Prime Minister’s appeal to United States would result in conviction on his part Britain and not the United States had responded to his plea which was specifically addressed to us.
As the Turks requested this wheat from the United States in lieu of war material and other supplies I assume they will not expect cargo space in next 2 or 3 months for other shipments.
I have already informed the Turks that wheat will be available in the United States in reasonable quantities for lifting by any ships they can provide subject to conditions noted in paragraph 3 of Department’s 362,63 and Prime Minister has assured me Turk Government is bending every effort to secure ships for this purpose.
As Prime Minister has repeatedly expressed his personal interest in the procurement of wheat from the United States I should appreciate being advised as soon as delivery of 15,000 tons of wheat from MESC has been definitely agreed to by London so I may inform Prime Minister.