740.0011 Moscow/10–2843
Memorandum by the Secretary of State
Turkey and Sweden
After consulting my Government regarding the proposals concerning Turkey and Sweden presented by the Soviet Delegation as a means of shortening the war, I am now prepared to set forth our attitude on these questions.
Turkey:
We do not consider it advisable at this time to induce Turkey to declare war on Germany. We are now straining our resources in personnel, shipping and supplies in the build-up for an invasion of Northern France. Our resources in the Mediterranean are fully occupied in support of the Italian offensive. In view of these and other commitments it would be unwise to undertake voluntarily the additional drain on our resources which Turkey’s entry into the war, because of pressure from us, would entail.
As an alternative my government proposes that inquiries to the Turkish Government be begun as soon as practicable to lease from Turkey, as a neutral, the use of air bases and transportation facilities.
[Page 656]Sweden:
My Government feels that a system of air bases available for Allied use should not be asked of Sweden at this time. They would require Allied defending forces, equipment, and maintenance supplies which we cannot afford to divert from our main effort—the build-up for a cross channel operation.
It is recognized that the privilege of using Swedish facilities would be valuable for the purpose of emergency landing of planes that penetrate deep into Northeast Germany and German-held territory for refuel and repair and to permit return to the United Kingdom. We suggest, therefore, that at a later date consideration be given to seeking this privilege which, if granted, can be expanded as circumstances permit.