740.0011 European War 1939/6577: Telegram
The Consul General at Beirut (Palmer) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 9—5:15 a.m.]
127. Confidentially informed by unimpeachable source that Turkey has threatened to seize two stretches of Baghdad Railway in Syria unless it is allowed the right to transit war material from Basra to Turkey. Orders from Armistice Commission through Vichy have been received to forbid such use of railway. Turkey has right to transit war material under railway agreement which forms part of Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighborship recently concluded but which has not been put into effect as Turkey requested, delay in so doing on the ground that the situation was too unstable. Local authorities are searching for a practical solution satisfactory to Turks as they are convinced that if Turkey executes its threat Iraq will take portion of Jezireh, Druzes will rebel and English may move forward from Palestine. Same source states that British war material is reaching Alexandretta but that port facilities are too limited.
Repeated to Vichy, Ankara, Baghdad and Jerusalem.