811.2300/40: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the High Commissioner in Turkey (Bristol)
26. Your 22, January 30, noon and 24, February 7, 11 a.m.18 Following is extract from letter from War Department:
[Here follow the two paragraphs quoted in the Department’s telegram no. 28, January 28, to the Minister in China, printed on page 238.]
[Paraphrase.] You may, if you deem it advisable, bring the paragraphs quoted from the letter of the War Department to the attention of the appropriate Turkish authorities and communicate them to Treat for similar action by him at Angora.
You may, in your discretion, with regard to the statement that an identical refusal was given to the British request of similar nature, [Page 241] point out that no state of war has existed between Turkey and the United States of America.
Although the Department still hopes that the Government of Turkey will grant permission, it is recommending to the War Department that the advance officer now in Paris be sent immediately to Constantinople to discuss the situation with you. The itinerary as now proposed includes passage through Bulgaria, Rumania, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, France, Great Britain, Denmark, Canada, Japan, Siam, and Persia. Favorable replies have been received from all above-mentioned countries. It would be most difficult and embarrassing if it were now found necessary, due to the failure of Turkey to grant permission, to change itinerary as now arranged.
- Latter not printed.↩