File No. 763.72/3680
The Ambassador in Turkey ( Elkus) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 6, 6.10 a.m.]
2587. Your 3467, March 31, 4 p.m.1 To-day being Minister for Foreign Affairs’ reception I called upon him for usual business and pending matters. In the course of the conversation he showed great desire to know what Congress would do to-day. After several issues were mentioned, I sounded him as to whether Turkey would follow the German lead in case war broke out between the United States and Germany. He replied that the relations of the United States and Turkey were friendly, more so now than for some time, and there is no reason why they should not so continue. The Turkish Government had, therefore, not taken into consideration the emergency of a war with the United States. This reply in no wise commits the Turkish Government, and I am still of the opinion that it is not possible to positively know beforehand what Turkey will do. Enver is expected to arrive from Berlin to-day, probably the bearer of Germany’s desire as to Turkey’s future action in this matter. It is stated that some German officers here have said that if the United States declares war against Germany, Turkey, as Germany’s ally, will have to declare war against America. These officers say that Enver also has so stated. On the other hand, the German Ambassador and diplomatic officers are said to have declared that in case of war between the United States and Germany, [Page 207] Turkey should continue her normal diplomatic relations with the United States, as these Germans are said to be apprehensive of internal disturbances and consider presence of American diplomatic mission here as a guaranty against anti-German rising or against further massacres of Christians. These same Germans, however, are reported to surmise that should there be war between the United States and Germany, latter will compel Austria-Hungary to declare war against the United States.
Should it become necessary to sever diplomatic relations with Turkey, I respectfully suggest that American interests here be confided Swedish Minister who is active, familiar with America, and experienced in his relations with the Turks. His wife is American. His staff is small but I will, if Department approves, leave Heck and Wirth to assist him in American affairs, both having volunteered to remain. I recommend Dutch Minister at Sofia to take charge of American interests in Bulgaria.
Twenty-five Americans from interior, mostly women and children, are here and leaving for America. Morton strongly advises against anybody leaving here in the Scorpion because of extreme danger of mines in the Black Sea and the Straits.