811.248/589: Telegram
The Ambassador in Turkey (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:38 p.m.]
653. I am today in receipt of following telegram from Cairo:
“June 14, 5 p.m. Your 594, June 13, to Department previous repeated to this Legation.
Major General Maxwell, United States Military North African Mission, informs me that Colonel Craw, who is now in Cairo, has been ordered by Colonel Halverson to proceed to Turkey to obtain ‘release’ of United States planes and crews. Maxwell suggests that as this problem now appears to be a diplomatic matter under your jurisdiction that you inform him through this Legation and advise Washington if you wish any assistance from the mission or from any member of Halverson’s command including Craw.”
I do not know of any assistance that the mission, Colonel Craw or any member of Colonel Halverson’s command could render Colonel Jadwin, Captain Brown, and myself. I am of opinion that Colonel Craw’s arrival in Ankara during course of negotiations would have a harmful rather than helpful effect on Turks as it would tend to magnify an incident which Turks have thus far joined us in minimizing.
Department will note that telegram from Cairo under reference refers to the “release of United States planes and crews” as though their release were a matter of right. This point of view tends to support the statements made to Colonel Jadwin and myself by several officers that they were informed before the take off that if they landed in Turkey they would not be interned.
For detailed information concerning flight I refer Department to Colonel Jadwin’s cables 178, June 15, 181, June 17 and 182, June 18, to War Department.