767.68119/11–2145: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:40 p.m.]
1475. Embs 1442, November 10, 2 p.m.98 British Ambassador has given me copy of memorandum he left this morning with FonMin in reply to Turk Govt request for expression of British Govt’s views regarding US proposal for revision Montreux Convention. He said copies were being furnished Govts at Washington and Moscow. He remarked “It doesn’t change things much”.
He told me Saka remarked he fully agreed this question was not particularly urgent. Also that he hoped greater measure of agreement might be reached regarding it by Soviets, British and Americans. Peterson said he assumed if Soviets should inform Turks they were in general agreement with principles US proposal, Turkey would be prepared to have international conference. Saka replied that if such event occurred Turkey would of course be willing.
Peterson then called on Soviet Ambassador and furnished him copy of memorandum. Vinogradov inquired whether memorandum meant that British were in agreement with US proposal. Peterson replied he assumed it did mean they were in agreement in principle although of course methods of application and other details would have to be worked out at conference. For example, British were not in accord with provision that non-Black Sea warships must obtain permission from Black Sea powers to pass through Straits.
Vinogradov then said that US proposal failed provide adequate security for USSR. Peterson said he was unable to understand this: Proposed revision convention would be on international basis with United Nations Organization which has succeeded League of Nations standing behind revised convention and concerning itself actively with world security. Vinogradov said that Russian concern for security at Straits was apparently better understood in 1914 than [Page 1281] today.99 Peterson replied situation today differs vastly from that of 1914 when Europe was divided into two camps with war inevitable; today United Nations with US, UK and USSR at head afford security for all. Vinogradov replied “somewhat ominously” that that might be true “provided the three of us can in fact find a way of working together”. He repeated that US proposal was unsatisfactory from viewpoint Soviet security.
Sent Department as 1475 repeated London as 132 and Moscow as 105.
- See footnote 92, p. 1273.↩
- Regarding the consideration given by Great Britain and France to Russian political aspirations for Constantinople and the Straits early in 1915, see Foreign Relations, 1940, vol. i, p. 577, footnote 50.↩