767.68119/9–345
Memorandum by the Secretary of State to President Truman
After consideration of the question of changes in the Montreux Convention, I am convinced that we should confine our proposal to what is set forth in the attached memorandum.
I do not believe that at this time we should recommend that Turkish control of the Straits should be impaired or that the Straits be neutralized. [Page 1243] I think that the United Nations Organization should be the court of appeal for any nation which considers that Turkey has abused its control or has failed to abide by its undertakings. As regards neutralization, it is difficult for us to request Turkey to dismantle her fortifications and agree to neutralization unless we are willing to give a guaranty to Turkey of assistance by the United States in case Turkey is later attacked.
I do not think we should make the guaranty unless we are prepared to fulfill our pledge and I do not think we should do this without first submitting it to Congressional leaders.
Reliance on prompt action by the United Nations is not satisfactory to Turkey in view of the veto power against such action enjoyed by all the permanent members of the Security Council. Furthermore, a suggestion that the Straits be neutralized encourages similar suggestions regarding Panama and Suez.
If you concur, I will draft a telegram to Turkey embodying the attached suggestions. At the same time, we would inform the British and Russian Governments of our actions.
- According to a memorandum of August 31, 1945, not printed, by the Director of the Office of Near Eastern and African Affairs (Henderson), proposals were discussed in the office of the Secretary of State regarding possible changes in the Montreux Convention. The Secretary suggested that a memorandum be drawn up of these proposals showing in parallel columns the significance of the changes as compared with the existing regulations, The procedure adopted by the Office, minuted Mr. Henderson, was to limit recommendations to topics without any attempt to draft changes in text, as “The Montreux Convention is based on more than 100 years of treaty regulations governing the Straits and its wording resulted from long debates and study at an important international conference.” (767.68119/9–2845) For extracts from the principal treaties and conventions affecting the Straits, 1774–1936, together with comparative charts, see Harry N. Howard, The Problem of the Turkish Straits (Department of State Publication 2752, Washington, 1947), pp. 13 ff.↩