867.20/8–2347: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in the Soviet Union
1638. Turk ForMin has asked views US Govt re international situation to assist Turk Govt in reaching decision whether to release one of three military classes now mobilized in Turkish Army. Three year service period of 1925 class expires Nov and Turks must decide in next few weeks whether to call up new class to replace 1925 group. If new class not called, Army would be reduced from about 485,000 men to about 330,000 men. Latter figure represents normal peacetime basis of Army.
Turk Chief General Staff has likewise asked our Military Attaché for War Dept Intelligence estimate of Soviet intentions in Turkish area and advice of our staff on wisdom of partial demobilization of Turkish Army.
Reduction in mobilization would greatly assist Turkish economy, since cost of present armed forces represents 60 percent of ordinary budget and number of men under arms is severe drain on Turk manpower resources. Consequently, Turk Govt would like to feel able to effect reduction. However, it is alarmed by increasing gravity of general international situation and fears reduction in size of Army would encourage Soviets step up pressure feeling they had Turks on run. Also might discourage Greece by indicating Turkey weakening in resolve to resist aggression.
Dept would like your views as to whether partial demobilization of Turk Army would in fact have any effect on Soviet attitude or course of action with special respect to Turkey, Greece and Iran.