740.00119 E.W. 1939/8–2344: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (Steinhardt)
744. The British Government, which had received through the same channels the message from the Rumanian Government contained in your 1549 (August 23), has proposed that a reply be given to the Rumanians through the Turkish Prime Minister to the effect that Rumania should send a delegate to Moscow either by passing him through the lines or via Turkey.
[Page 196]The Department has informed the British that it is agreeable to this proposal. You are accordingly instructed to associate yourself with your British colleague in giving this reply to the Turkish Prime Minister for transmission to the Rumanians.
The Department has also concurred, subject to the agreement of the Soviet Government, in the proposal made by the British that the American and British Ambassadors in Moscow should participate in all the discussions with any Rumanian delegate sent there, and that this point should be brought to the attention of the Rumanian authorities in the reply made to them through the Turks.
The British are seeking Soviet agreement to this procedure. If the Soviet Government agrees, the British will request that the Soviet Ambassador in Ankara be so instructed, in order that a tripartite approach to the Turkish Prime Minister may be made.