The fearless way in which Turkey, through her Prime Minister, has reacted to Nazi propaganda, has created satisfaction in London and profound annoyance in Berlin. Germany's whispering campaign, deliberately designed by Von Papen, the German ambassador, to undermine the confidence of the nation, her circulation of false reports, her systematic attempts to embroil Turkey with Russia, at length provoked Dr Saydam to plain speaking at Ankara on July 12th
“Those who make accusations against Turkey and seek to influence her overlook one important point, the Turkey of today is not the dead and rotten Ottoman Empire. At the time of the Empire such intrigue benefited its authors. But the present Turkish rulers ... have only one programme, the interests of Turkey, and the security of the Turkish Republic. Such are the considerations omitted when this propaganda was conceived."

July 1940