740.00116 European War 1939/1041: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:20 p.m.]
1387. In conversation with the British Ambassador11 he said that the Foreign Minister had rejected the suggestion of certain other neutrals for joint action their reply to the American, British and [Page 464] Soviet notes concerning asylum to war criminals and had advised the Swedish, Swiss and Portuguese Ministers to make “friendly” replies. Hugessen said Numan expressed the opinion that it was “unfortunate” the British note had not followed the form of the American note which was much easier to deal with as it contained no implied threat. Numan promised to discuss with Hugessen the form and substance of the Turkish reply before reaching a final decision, adding that the publicity given the notes had made his position even more difficult. Toward the close of their talk Numan remarked to Hugessen that in any event the Turkish Government would refuse asylum to Mussolini and his henchmen.
- Sir H. M. Knatchbull-Hugessen.↩