867.5151/169: Telegram

The Ambassador in Turkey ( MacMurray ) to the Secretary of State

9. My telegram No. 76, December 29, 6 p.m.28 Turkish authorities have issued instructions exempting from the exchange premium all American merchandise imported into Turkey prior to December 4, 1939. American merchandise imported between December 4, 1939, and January 2, 1940, will pay a premium of 37½ piasters per dollar and imports subsequent to January 2 a premium of 50 piasters.

Embassy has been informed that dollar transfers for the amounts covered by exchange permits, issued since December 15 but not utilized on account of the requirement to pay exchange premium (which totaled $2,271,000 on January 10) will start on January 15.

Applications on file on January 10 for which permits had not been issued totaled $4,356,000.

For the Ambassador:
Kelley