740.0011 European War 1939/8–2644: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:57 p.m.]
1579. In conversation with the Russian Ambassador today he told me that subsequent to the rupture of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Germany the Turk Government had informed the Russian Government that it felt it had substantially complied with Allied desires and that closer collaboration between Turkey and the Allies had become possible. To this the Russian Government replied that Turkey’s entry into the war would serve no useful purpose and was no longer desired. The Turk Government then proposed a joint statement emphasizing the friendly relations between Turkey and Russia to which the Russian Government replied that such a statement would [Page 899] add nothing to the treaties already in existence between the two countries. The Turk Government then suggested that notwithstanding the existing treaties a joint statement along the lines proposed might be helpful. The Russian Government has not replied formally to this last suggestion. Vinogradov however has received instructions to discourage the Turks from pressing the same.
Repeated to Moscow.