867.00/3125: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 7—12:42 a.m.]
123. An official communiqué published in this morning’s Ulus concerning the bomb explosion reported in the Embassy’s 103 February 25, 5 p.m. states that the police investigation has revealed the following details to date: That the man carrying the explosive material was born in Yugoslavia in 1917 and had completed his college studies there; that his name was Omer Tokat and was the son of a teacher; that having become a Communist there he came to Turkey in June 1940 and enrolled as a foreign student in the Istanbul law faculty; that [by] taking [advantage] of the general provisions concerning emigrants (those of Turkish origin) he had acquired Turkish nationality in June 1941; that he was carrying a revolver whose number had been effaced; that his identity and that of his comrades was established 2 days after the explosion and the latter were arrested; that they are also natives of Yugoslavia where they grew up and became Communists and that they emigrated in recent years and took Turkish nationality; that from the depositions of the accomplices under arrest it is learned that certain foreigners of Angora and Istanbul whose identity has also been established had arranged with them an attempt against the life of two personalities of a foreign power; that an investigation is likewise being carried out concerning these foreigners; that it is proved that the Angora attempt was directed against the person of Ambassador von Papen.