811.20 Defense(M)Turkey/1067: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 24—11:45 p.m.]
1142. The British Ambassador read to me this morning London’s 5616 of June 22 to Washington49 which sets forth as London’s objective the rupture of economic and diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Axis. Hugessen expressed the view that if he is to succeed in persuading the Turks to break off economic relations with the Axis it will be necessary for Britain and the United States to undertake to furnish Turkey with its essential requirements. In this connection he referred to the necessity of lifting the existing embargoes on copper, cotton piece goods, etc., pointing out that at best there would [Page 863] be a very considerable time lag between the lifting of these embargoes and the arrival of the goods in Turkey in comparison with the relative speed with which goods arrive in Turkey from Axis Europe. He also expressed grave doubt that a complete economic rupture could be achieved much less a diplomatic rupture without some kind of commitment by Britain to afford the Turks military assistance in the event they are attacked by Germany. I am in agreement with the view expressed by Hugessen that it is desirable we advise the Turks as soon as possible of our objectives particularly as their attainment will require protracted discussions, especially in connection with Turkey’s discontinuance of all trade with the Axis, as to how the United States and Britain can best furnish Turkey with its essential requirements and at the same time absorb Turkey’s surplus export products. Accordingly, I recommend that I be instructed as soon as possible to support Hugessen’s representations.50 With regard to any aspects of subsequent discussions concerning which the Department may hold views other than those expressed in London’s telegram or entertain doubt as to the best means of attaining our objectives, I shall be available to the Department for personal conference as I have made plans to leave Ankara on June 29 for Washington.
- Apparently the communication on which was based the British Embassy’s aide-mémoire of June 23, supra. ↩
- In telegram 581, June 28, 9 p.m., the Ambassador was “authorized to support the British Ambassador insofar as you deem it desirable in his representations based on the principles set forth in Foreign Office telegram 5616, June 22 and in accord with recommendations in your 1142, June 23, 6 p.m.”; Ambassador Steinhardt was also informed that the “Department looks forward to early consultation with you on this subject” (740.0011 European War/6–2644). Telegram 581 was repeated to London as 5111 and to Moscow as 1581.↩