867.24/688: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom ( Winant ) to the Secretary of State

3181. Department’s 2746, April 30, 10 p.m.83 The question of supplies for Turkey naturally involves shipping problems and high military strategy. The British Government, on the highest level, has given this whole question serious consideration. Although the Minister of War Transport submitted to the War Cabinet a paper suggesting the deferment of an increase in the Turkish program for the time being, the War Cabinet decided to restore the program of tonnage allotted Turkey prior to the cut last October, namely 7,000 tons of civilian supplies from the U.S. and the U.K.

It is not contemplated, however, that this restored program will become operative until shipping routes to the general area are shortened.

Harriman84 will furnish you additional information on this subject.

Winant
  1. This telegram to London was sent as a repeat of telegram No. 391, April 30, 10 p.m., to the Ambassador in Turkey, not printed. In this telegram the Department stated that it “inclines to belief that Adana supply promises superimposed on prior Lend-Lease and wheat expectations of Turks, when colliding with shipping shortage and limited intake capacity of accessible ports, may result by late summer in Turks’ accusation that solemn obligations have been unfulfilled. … the Department is anxious to work out, in collaboration with the British, broad outlines of a realistic supply and shipping program for coming months …” (867.24/685a)
  2. W. Averell Harriman, special representative of President Roosevelt, with the personal rank of Minister, in the United Kingdom for Lend-Lease matters relating to the British Empire.