740.0011 Moscow/11–143
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman)
| Participants: | The Secretary |
| Mr. Anthony Eden | |
| Sir Archibald Clark Kerr | |
| Mr. W. A. Harriman |
The purpose of Mr. Eden’s visit was to explain to the Secretary that Molotov had been opposing his taking up with the Turks for the British the matter of their giving us bases to protect Leros and allowing entry of submarines and merchant ships through the Dardanelles.
Eden told Molotov it was absolutely essential to get immediate use of the Turkish air bases or Leros would fall into German hands. [Page 694] If this happened the attack on Rhodes, when it took place, would be much more difficult. He explained that they had had additional bad news. A cruiser and two destroyers had been badly damaged and possibly sunk, in addition to the losses last week. Naval losses of this magnitude could not be faced. Fighter cover based on Turkey was therefore essential.
Molotov had insisted that pressure should be put on Turkey to come into the war all out. After a great deal of argument both yesterday and today, Eden had worked out a compromise, namely that Molotov withdrew his objection to the British demands on Turkey for immediate use of air bases while Eden agreed, for the British Government, that they would join at a later date with Russia in demanding Turkey’s entry in the war before the end of the year.
Molotov asked Eden to discuss with Mr. Hull whether Mr. Hull would not make it a tri-partite agreement and enter it in the protocol as one of the understandings of the Conference. Mr. Hull explained that he was not authorized to discuss military matters and therefore could not take this step. He asked Mr. Eden to explain this to Mr. Molotov. Eden said he was sure Molotov would be satisfied with the bi-lateral agreement between the British and Soviet Governments. (Note: This agreement was signed by Mr. Eden and Mr. Molotov later that evening.)