740.0011 European War 1939/7–3144: Telegram
The Chargé in Turkey (Kelley) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 1—5:15 p.m.]
1398. ReEmby’s 1374, July 26. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs questioned me further this morning with regard to the meaning of the reservation contained in the statement of the position of the American Government in the matter of Turkey’s rupture of relations with Germany. He said that while his Government understood the literal meaning of the reservation they were somewhat concerned as to its possible implications. He inquired whether it implied that if Turkey, as a result of the action to be taken by it, should be attacked by Germany the United States would not render any military assistance to Turkey. I pointed out that the reservation referred to the matter of a campaign in the Balkans and said that in my personal opinion the reservation did not apply to the contingency mentioned by the Secretary General. If that contingency should arise I said that it was my personal opinion that the United States would cooperate with the British in extending to Turkey all military assistance possible under the circumstances. I said that I had no information which would throw any light on the reservation and that if the Secretary General so desired I would report our conversation to Washington so that my Government could send me any [Page 896] further instructions which it desired, relative to the point in question. The Secretary General said that he hoped that I would do so as his Government desired further information with regard to the meaning of the reservation.
I assume that the Turkish Government has taken this matter up again with me as a result of the remark made by von Papen to the Prime Minister last Saturday to the effect that he did not understand how Turkey could take a step towards entering the war when the United States had made a reservation to the effect that it would not afford any military assistance to Turkey.