740.0011 European War 1939/7–1944
The Department of State to the British Embassy
Memorandum
The Government of the United States has taken careful note of the British Embassy’s aide-mémoire of July 12, 1944, and provided it is made clear to the Turks that the severance of relations between Turkey and Germany is regarded as only a first step towards active belligerency, is in agreement with the views of the British Government as expressed therein.
In reaching this decision the Department of State consulted the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which replied on July 19, 1944 as follows:
“The Joint Chiefs of Staff have given urgent consideration to the Secretary of State’s letter of 13 July enclosing copy of a British aide-mémoire concerning proposed action by Turkey in severing relations with Germany.
“It is noted that the State Department is inclined to accept the plan thus proposed by the British provided it is made clear to both the Turks and to the Russians that the severance of relations between Turkey and Germany is regarded as only a first step towards active belligerency. From a military point of view the Joint Chiefs of Staff concur with the Secretary of State in the opinion that it is desirable that Turkey sever relations with Germany as soon as practicable. As to the proviso that such action be regarded as only a first step toward active belligerency, the Joint Chiefs of Staff concur therein, subject to the reservation that in taking this position, the United States should inform Turkey and our Allies, that the United States is not thereby committed to military, naval, or air support of any campaign in the Balkans.
“As to the British desire for an assurance that the United States will share equally the burden of financial and economic assistance, the Joint Chiefs of Staff are of the opinion that in so far as this refers to military equipment, the character, amount, and source of such equipment should be determined by the Combined Chiefs of Staff, in consultation if necessary with the Russians. In this connection, the Joint Chiefs of Staff are definitely opposed to the diversion of any resources from the approved operations in Italy and the Western Mediterranean.”
As regards the non-military assurances to be given to the Turks, [Page 885] the Government of the United States is in principle prepared to share equally with the British Government the burden of any financial and economic assistance which the United States and United Kingdom Governments may agree upon as being necessary for Turkey.
Appropriate instructions are being sent to the American Chargé d’Affaires at Ankara with a view to his supporting, in accordance with this Government’s position as expressed above, the forthcoming representations of the British Ambassador.