740.0011 European War 1939/7–2244
The British Embassy to the Department of State
Aide-Mémoire
In the light of the views expressed by the United States Government in their Memorandum No. 740.0011 EW 1939/7–1244 [7–1944] of July 20th, and by the Soviet Government, His Majesty’s Ambassador at Ankara has been instructed to approach the Turkish Government on the lines indicated in paragraph 5 of the Embassy’s Aide-Mémoire of July 12th, and to make it clear to the Turkish Government that His Majesty’s Government expect them to break off relations with Germany four days after their approach and that they regard this as [Page 887] a first step towards ultimate belligerency, details of which will be discussed later with the Turkish Government.
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- His Majesty’s Ambassador at Ankara has further been instructed to inform the Turkish Government that the bans now in force on the export to Turkey of certain commodities will be lifted as soon as relations are broken and that at the same time the flow of military supplies will immediately be resumed as far as possible. He will also state that the question of the resumption of military supplies from the United States is being discussed with the United States Government.
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- His Majesty’s Ambassador at Ankara will then explain that the view of His Majesty’s Government, after careful consideration of the facts, is that Germany will be unlikely to attack Turkey as a result of rupture of relations. Nevertheless, His Majesty’s Government appreciate that the Turkish Government may wish to guard against all eventualities however remote and are prepared to send at short notice additional equipment to improve and extend Radar cover and essential communications in Turkey and to make available the equivalent of one night fighter squadron subject to the agreement of the United States Authorities concerned.
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- With regard to paragraph 5 (c) of the Embassy’s Aide-Mémoire of July 12th, His Majesty’s Ambassador at Ankara has been instructed to omit any reference to conversations between the two General Staffs and the two Governments …
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- His Majesty’s Government hope that the United States Government will collaborate with them in the immediate resumption of supplies to Turkey as soon as relations between Turkey and Germany have been broken.