761.67/4–745: Telegram

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

3553. An official of the Foreign Office today said that British representatives in Bulgaria had become somewhat alarmed at stories current in Sofia that the Russians contemplated some sort of aggressive action in Thrace against Turkey. The Foreign Office, however, is of the opinion that these stories have been “planted”, probably by the Russians in their current war of nerves against Turkey. The official stated that it was fanciful even to consider that Russia would launch an act of aggression against Turkey at the present juncture “although this might not be the case in 2 or 3 years”.

Repeated to Caserta, Moscow, Ankara.

Winant