811.20 Defense (M) Turkey/318: Telegram

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

146. Your 259, February 9, 5 p.m., your 258, February 9, 9 p.m., and your 226, February 4, 2 p.m.48

1.
The contents of your telegrams under reference are most helpful in our understanding of the chrome situation. The Department is of the opinion that your attention to the practical considerations involved has been thorough and imaginative.
2.
It is accepted here that, in as much as we consume the chrome and possess an equal interest with the British in the preclusive and financial aspects of securing it, the supervision of the operation of the present and any future British contracts should be carried out jointly by ourselves and the British. The Department is taking appropriate action to secure full recognition and implementation of this principle by the British. Obviously such joint operations for success must rest on an attitude of true partnership on the part of both parties.
3.
The discussion of possible negotiation of a comprehensive transport agreement with the Turks referred to in Jackson’s49 letter to Merchant50 of January 29 by pouch received on February 1251 holds substantial appeal. Your full views and suggestions on this would be appreciated, including reference to the possibility of relating such an agreement to shipping which, as previously discussed, it might be possible to make available to the Turks.

[Here follows paragraph 4 relative to continuing the assignment of Mr. Jackson to the Embassy in Turkey.]

5.
The importance of this particular economic warfare operation, the magnitude of the sums paid in advance and the extent to which we are forced to rely on Turkish cooperation for success combine to make it essential that our facilities for surveillance and inspection at the dumps be as complete and carefully prepared as possible. Continued presentation of our interests in this respect, on a commercial and not a diplomatic basis, should be carried forward; obviously if chrome now above ground is diverted to Germany, after payment has been made thereon, the whole operation would be nullified. With respect to Guleman, the Department is of the opinion that, if necessary, it would be preferable to cede the Germans equal privileges of inspection rather than lack completely on our part the right to inspect and check [Page 1154] what we have bought. It is in the organizing of this phase of the chrome problem, for example, that the Department and BEW find it so difficult to visualize adequately replacing Jackson.
Hull
  1. Not found in Department files.
  2. C. D. Jackson, sent to Ankara as assistant to the Ambassador in Turkey in connection with the chrome negotiations.
  3. Livingston T. Merchant, Assistant Chief of the Division of Defense Materials.
  4. Not found in Department files.