767.68119/10–2745: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey ( Wilson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 28—6:40 p.m.]
1372. British Ambassador tells me that his Govt referred to him for comment US proposals for revision of Montreux Convention. He has informed his Govt that he considers them satisfactory except provision that in time of war warships of non-Black Sea powers even when on business of United Nations Organization can not enter Straits or pass into Black Sea without consent of Black Sea powers. He said that British must have right to send war vessels thru Straits as far as Istanbul. Also British could not be placed in position of seeking [Page 1263] consent of Bulgaria and Rumania to send its war vessels into Black Sea.
Dept may possibly appreciate I was scarcely in position to discuss matter helpfully inasmuch as I have not been informed by my own Govt concerning its proposals. This is in fact second time in past 3 months that I have enjoyed receiving from British Ambassador my first information concerning important proposals made by my own Govt concerning question of Straits.