740.0011 European War 1939/7–344: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 4—8:39 p.m.]
1207. Personal for the President, the Secretary and the Under Secretary. The Prime Minister sent for me this afternoon and told me that earlier in the day the Council of Ministers had considered the Anglo-American request for a rupture of economic and diplomatic relations between Turkey and Germany and had reached the following decision.
The British and American Governments will be informed within the next day or two that the Turkish Government is prepared to break off all relations with Germany immediately. Saraçoğlu added that of course there were assurances which the Turkish Government would like to receive from the British and American Governments before rupturing relations with Germany but that in order to avoid a repetition of what he characterized as the “unfair” accusation previously made by the British that the quantity of war material requested by Turkey in the course of the military negotiations had been made excessive for the purpose of delay, this time the Turkish Government would merely seek assurances in respect of the three points enumerated below, before breaking off relations, and would rely upon the British and American Governments to carry out the assurances as given. Saraçoğlu emphasized that the assurances to be requested by the Turkish Government should not be regarded as conditions but primarily as a statement of the treatment the Turkish Government would expect to receive after having broken off all relations with Germany at the request of Britain and the United States. He then set forth the three points as follows:
- 1.
- Turkey to be treated by Britain as a full Ally.
- 2.
- Turkey to receive such assistance as Britain and the United States may find it possible to accord in connection with the disposal of its export surpluses which will result from the discontinuance of trade relations with Germany and to provide Turkey with the commodities essential to the maintenance of its national economy many of which have been and are being furnished by Germany.
- 3.
- Turkey to be provided with such war material as Britain and the United States may regard as necessary to protect the country against a surprise attack by Germany resulting from the rupture of relations, and, should Turkey become involved in the war, to be furnished [Page 871] as much war material as may be deemed necessary by Britain and the U.S.
Saraçoğlu said that as the Turkish note had not yet been drafted, there might be one or two other assurances that would be sought but that they would be of a minor nature.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Turkey intended to make the rupture complete. Von Papen would be handed his passports; German diplomats in Turkey would be exchanged for Turkish diplomats in Germany; and all other German nationals would be expelled from Turkey with the exception of a few German professors who have been teaching in Turkish schools for many years whose anti-Nazi sentiments are well-known and a few German Jewish refugees.
In response to my observation that I assumed all commercial and economic relations would also cease, Saraçoğlu replied: “The rupture will be complete and absolute and will cover all phases of the relations between the two countries.”
In response to my inquiry as to what action the Turkish Government contemplated taking in respect of Hungary, Bulgaria and Rumania, Saraçoğlu replied that as Britain and the United States had only requested a rupture with Germany the Turkish Government did not contemplate a simultaneous rupture with these countries but that of course similar action would be taken in respect to them if and when requested.
In elaborating his views as to procedure Saraçoğlu remarked again that he did not propose to be placed “this time” in a position where his Government could be accused of being responsible for any delay. He said that in drafting tomorrow the Turkish reply to the Anglo-American request it was his intention to phrase it so that as soon as the desired assurances are given the Turkish Government will be able to immediately break off relations with Germany.
At the close of our talk Saraçoğlu informed me that as soon as agreement had been reached it was his intention to request the Grand National Assembly for full powers to meet any situation that might develop as a result of the rupture of relations with Germany. I judged from his remark that the Turkish Government envisages the rupture of relations with Germany as merely a step towards entering the war.
Saraçoğlu said that as he had not as yet informed the British or Russian Ambassadors of the foregoing he must request that we refrain from discussing the matter with the British or the Russians until the Turkish Government has made its formal reply to the Anglo-American request.
I am leaving Ankara tonight and expect to arrive in Washington about July 9.