[Enclosure l Article from the “Gazette de Hollande" November 17, 1914 An eloquent appeal for mediation in the great world struggle is made by the Algemeen Handelsblad, in the course of which our contemporary writes: Nation after nation is being drawn into a struggle whose continuance can serve no ideal end, whilst it is slaying or destroying the noblest youthful powers of Europe and leaving only the names of some famous towns on the map. The sufferings of hundreds of thousands are becoming unbearable. Human woe is rising to heaven, witnessing against religion and civilization. Is not the moment come to attempt to save what there is yet to save? Two countries are indicated for this task, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of the United States of North America and now is a favourable moment to offer their mediation. The Minister of the United States here is now on his way to Washington, where he enjoys the full confidence of the American Government. Our Queen is honoured, is popular in America. Our Minister for Foreign Affairs is generally known and esteemed in the Republic. Cannot both Governments now, under these favourable circumstances, together prepare for the task of offering their mediation? A like opportunity to that now offering will certainly not easily recur. A powerful word can be spoken, and it would prove to the great honour of our country if coming generations were able to testify that it was Holland's Queen who had had the high courage to first speak the word that showed the peoples of Europe the way to a lasting peace. SPANISH SUGGESTION OF JOINT GOOD OFFICES (DECEMBER 7)— ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BRITISH PROTECTORATE IN EGYPT File No. 763.72119/39 The Ambassador in Spain (Willard) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Madrid, December 7, 1914, 5 p. m. 13. In a recent conversation with Minister for Foreign Affairs he informed me confidentially that some days ago he received information that suggestions of peace negotiations had been made to our Government through Holland. He instructed Spanish Ambassador at Washington to inquire if the United States Government felt that the time was ripe for action. He stated that the Department's reported response was somewhat cold and lacked the cordiality he had anticipated. He disclaimed any intent to influence our Government and desired only to suggest and cooperate in any movement looking toward peace when the right moment should present itself, adding that the cordial cooperation of our respective diplomatic representatives in the belligerent countries, as already demonstrated, would be able to secure information essential to the success of future peace developments. I again mention His Majesty's earnest desire, often expressed, that the United States and Spain should work together with this end in view. 1 See the despatch from the Chargé d'Affaires in the Netherlands, ante, p. 145. Will Department instruct me to give assurance in the above sense but without committing our Government to any understanding of joint action? WILLARD The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Spain (Willard) [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 8, 1914. 15. The President appreciates most sincerely the interest expressed by the Spanish Government in the promotion of peace in Europe through mediation, and the confidence implied in the suggestions made; but from the information which he has, the President does not believe that the time has come when a renewal of the offer of mediation would be acceptable to the belligerent nations. And he does not feel that it would be wise to attempt at this time, to determine the conditions under which the offer of mediation should be made, when the time for it arrives. BRYAN File No. 763.72119/41 The Ambassador in Spain (Willard) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Madrid, December 11, 1914, noon. [Received 7.20 p. m.] 15. Yesterday evening I communicated informally contents of Department's No. 15 to Minister of Foreign Affairs, who promptly and cordially conceded the wisdom and propriety of the President's attitude. Minister of Foreign Affairs earnestly requested that he be informed so soon as our Government felt time had arrived for a renewal of its offer of mediation, in order that Spanish Government might second or support in any manner agreeable to the United States the latter's action. WILLARD File No. 763.72/1294 The Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) to the Secretary of State No. 132] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Constantinople, November 16, 1914. [Received December 11.] SIR: In continuation of my despatch No. 127, dated November 7, 1914, on political affairs, I have the honor to report that on the 11th instant, early in the morning, I was informed that the British Embassy was in the possession of the police. I went there immediately and was informed that new orders had been issued that 'Ante, p. 136. morning to search all embassies and consulates for wireless apparatus. The police agreed to discontinue their search until I had conferred with the director general of the police. Mr. Tarler visited the French Embassy and found similar conditions there with the exception of the fact that the officers in charge there informed him that they would continue to search the buildings, and that furthermore they would not allow him or the Ambassador to enter the premises unless accompanied by the chief of police. The Servian Legation and the British Consulate General had also been entered; many of the caretakers, kavasses, and the French Vice Consul were arrested but immediately released. The police had also requisitioned twenty horses and two carriages from the British Embassy and six horses from the French Embassy. I immediately sought the Minister of the Interior to whom I strongly protested. As I informed you in my No. 18, of November 12, noon, he apologized for the occurrence stating that the police had acted under orders from the military authorities without his knowledge and he sent for the chief of police whom he obliged to apologize to me. I also protested to the Minister of War who disclaimed all blame for entering the embassies by stating that he had ordered a general search for wireless apparatus but that he had not given any detailed directions as to how it was to be carried out. He promised to call at the Embassy formally to apologize. Undoubtedly during my interviews with both ministers all the premises entered had been searched. It was agreed that no further search should be made and that I might seal the embassies and consulates for a week, which I did. I pointed out to the ministers that by doing this the individual operating the wireless apparatus would either have been discovered by the end of the week or the authorities would be assured that the embassie and consulates were not being used as wireless stations. Before closing up the British Consulate General the police seized some firearms and ammunition. Before allowing Mr. Tarler to seal the British Embassy, another officer had arrived who stated that he wished to enter a certain locked room there as he believed it contained arms. Mr. Tarler promptly notified me and as soon as I was able to communicate with the chief of police, the necessary orders were given to allow the Embassy to be sealed without further delay. By special arrangement the French dragoman and vice consuls and servants were allowed to remain on the premises in their respective houses, and the same privilege was accorded to the servants of the British Embassy. That evening I discussed the matter with the Austrian Ambassador who is dean of the Diplomatic Corps, and he agreed that I should protest to the Ottoman Government. On the following day I submitted to the Grand Vizier a formal protest against this unprecedented violation of the principles of international law. On the 12th instant, I had the Belgian Legation sealed and on the 15th the Servian. The Belgian Minister and his secretary had departed two days previously. The Ottoman Government has promulgated an order forbidding the use of the post for all correspondence excepting that written in French, Turkish, or Arabic. All sealed envelopes to our consulates in Turkey have been refused. I have taken this matter up with the Porte, and, pending their consideration of it, I am enabled to transmit my consular correspondence with the assistance of the Ministry of the Interior. The only cablegrams in code which will be communicated from the telegraph office are those addressed to the Department. The Minister of War has, however, made a special arrangement to have my code telegrams to consuls transmitted through his office. 1 On the 11th instant, a formal declaration of war was made by Imperial irade. I have the honor to enclose herewith copy and translation of a proclamation issued on the 12th instant, declaring a holy war. This manifesto was undoubtedly calculated to inflame the religious fanaticism of the Moslems and a demonstration was made by them on the 14th which forms the subject of a separate despatch. On the 13th instant, a number of Persians paraded to this Embassy and on the broad ground of humanity and our world-wide endeavors to assure peace, they handed me a protest in behalf of their country against the aggression of Russia and England. On the 13th instant, three Turkish transports were sunk in the Black Sea and the officers and crews consisting of 219 men and several passengers were taken prisoners by the Russians. It is generally quiet here, but there is apprehension that in case an unfortified town is bombarded by the Allied fleets, all British subjects and French citizens will be taken as prisoners and held as hostages. I have [etc.] H. MORGENTHAU File No. 763.72/1295 The Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) to the Secretary of State No. 133] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Constantinople, November 16, 1914. [Received December 11.] SIR: I have the honor to forward you herewith a translation of the account in the Lloyd Ottoman of the 15th instant, of a demonstration which took place in Constantinople on the 14th.2 After the ceremonial declaration of the holy war described in the translation, Seid Bey, deputy of Smyrna, made a speech in which he emphasized the sin a Moslem committed in fighting in the armies of England and France against the Ottoman army. The crowd led by the committees of "National Defense" and of the Fleet, then visited the Sublime Porte, the Sultan's Palace and the German and Austrian Embassies, at all of which places there were patriotic speeches. At the German Embassy it was announced that Emperor William was sending to the Sultan Musulman prisoners captured by the German armies. 'Not printed: summarized in the Ambassador's telegram No. 89, November 27, ante, p. 142. 2 Not printed. After the visit to the Austrian Embassy most of the crowd dispersed, but those referred to in the local press as "a few evilintentioned individuals" broke the windows of the Russian Consulate General, of one French and one English shop and wrecked the first floor of "Tokatlians," a large Russian-owned hotel. The damage in each case was done by a few men and without real police opposition. A considerable cheering crowd followed them and watched the proceeding. It is quite possible that the demonstration was engineered by the Government to give a fictitious appearance of enthusiasm for this war. At the very moment this small riot was beginning, Enver Pasha, the Minister of War, was calling at the Embassy assuring me that there was no danger here for English and French, that only suspicious characters would be asked to leave; that there could be no massacres without orders from the Government, and that these orders would never come. The Minister of the Interior informed me to-day that the offenders of yesterday would be severely punished, as they committed these acts of vandalism without the permission of the police. The official declaration of the holy war described in the accompanying enclosure1 is a dénouement long desired by the Germans in order to cause Moslem uprisings in Egypt and India. Since Turkey is allied with Christian nations this move is somewhat extraordinary, and I cannot yet tell what effect it will have on this country. Since the mob on the 14th, this city has been perfectly quiet. I have [etc.] H. MORGENTHAU File No. 883.00/49 The Consul General at Cairo (Arnold) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL, Cairo, December 11, 1914, 10 p. m. Prince Hussein, uncle of Khedive, rumored about to be proclaimed by British as Sultan of Egypt. If occurrence transpires and if diplomatic agents invited to be present at the ceremony, telegraph instructions in view of attitude of Turkey toward Egypt. ARNOLD The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Cairo (Arnold) [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 12, 1914. When the Khedive assumes authority, you will deal with him as a de-facto official, but do not attend the ceremonies. You can show Not printed. |