811.248/582: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey ( Steinhardt ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:05 p.m.]
636. Department’s 282, June 17, 8 p.m. I think it would be most unwise at this stage to endeavor to obtain permission to remove secret instruments from planes as in seeking such permission we would of necessity disclose their presence which apparently has not yet been discovered by Turk authorities. I am informed total destruction of these instruments could readily be accomplished under cover of noise of motors once crews have access to planes.
Suggestion in my 607, June 15, 7 p.m. that an immediate unconditional gift be made of planes to Turk Government was prompted by my desire to obtain access to planes for the crews at once so that they might destroy instruments before their existence is discovered by Turk authorities or Axis agents.
[Page 796]Insofar as concerns permission for personnel to leave Turkey without parole I am quite clear Turk Government will not give such permission for to do so would be a clear violation of international law. On the other hand, as I pointed out in my previous telegram gift of planes might induce Turk authorities not to ask officers to give their parole which would afford them an opportunity to escape at a later date, with or without the tacit consent of Turk authorities.
In my opinion it would be a mistake to endeavor to bargain with Turk authorities or to seek to impose conditions in respect of planes now in their possession and under their control. I believe that immediate gift of planes without any qualification other than a strong intimation that we will expect them not to ask the officers to give this parole and not subject them to too great surveillance some weeks from now is as far as we should go. I believe this course would result in a request that the crews recondition the planes which would afford them an opportunity of destroying the secret instruments.
I have received no suggestion regarding the planes from Turk authorities other than the very broad hint from Saraçoğlu reported in my 607.
I should appreciate prompt reply.