ish officials or jeopardizing their rights under the capitulations. Austrian Ambassador frankly admits that there are no prospects of capitulations being reinstated. Austrian Ambassador said Minister of the Interior told him that they want no foreign schools at all in their country. Have arranged to meet Minister of the Interior and Minister of Public Instruction to follow up my demand that American institutions remain unmolested. Our consular agent at Dardanelles informs me that the Dardanelles are bombarded two or three times weekly. This report is confirmed by a foreigner arrived recently from there who states that some wounded Turkish soldiers have been brought from the forts after each bombardment. Cruisers Goeben and Hamildie [Hamidieh] have been injured and it is stated may be [disabled] for some time. Should the English and French be able to force Dardanelles and Russians come through Bosphorus considerable excitement and possibly looting and even worse may result though some believe that the sight of defeat will subdue the Turks. Now frequently confer with Peet, Gates, Paulus, and Ravndal who are cooperating with me in Red Cross and other matters. I have succeeded in keeping all Americans reassured. Am not frightened but desire to explain actual conditions. AMERICAN AMBASSADOR File No. 867.00/723 The Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Constantinople, December 12, 1914, 12 noon. [Received December 15, 8.15 a. m.] 148. Your 90, December 1, my 112, December 4, also my October 21, 11 a. m.1 Lately I am also apprehensive about Hollis he is very nervous owing to his inability to remedy the dreadful conditions at Beirut. He has incurred displeasure of Djemal, Minister of Marine and Commandant of Damascus, and that worries him. In a telegram to Djemal Hollis expressed astonishment at Djemal's conduct and Djemal replied: "I never will allow you to write me that you are astonished by any of my decisions and I do not authorize you to meddle with my affairs. You have no official relation whatsoever with me. You are free to write what you desire to your Embassy." Djemal is headstrong and very determined and next in importance to Enver and Talaat in Cabinet. On December 10 Talaat telegraphed Djemal to liberate all British and French citizens at Beirut unless he had some strong military reasons to the contrary, in which case he should report them to him. Talaat at the same time positively promised as a favor to Americans to leave unmolested at Beirut College three British professors and agent. French agents were yesterday sent to Damascus. Djemal has declined to obey Talaat's order saying that he does not favor making any exceptions. As to professors, local authorities gave delay which expires this evening and I have Minister of Interior's promise that 'Last named not printed. he will telegraph again to-day. Minister of the Interior will not quarrel with Djemal for the sake of a few Englishmen. This Government is fast drifting into semianarchy, promises are made one day and recalled the next, there is no fixed policy and the officials no longer rely on complete protection from Turkish Government. Time has arrived for Americans to consider their departure. I deem it my duty to inform you that some think two cruisers in Turkish waters add to American prestige and strengthen me. Peet thinks our safety lies in depending on Turkish Government, which up to the present time has given us ample protection and when we attempt to supplement Turkish police force we render our position absolutely hazardous, and that where we can unhesitatingly abstain altogether they reserve the right to change their mind and it will require great skill to avoid incidents. I fully agree that no change of consuls be made at present but recommend their not being entrusted with any power over the cruiser, and as I shall not assume the responsibility of sending cruiser to any port but Beirut you might recall one of them after the Tennessee has been to Alexandria and conveyed funds to Jaffa. In my opinion the chances of injuries that may result from misuse of cruisers are far greater than protection they may render. I strongly favor retaining one cruiser at Beirut but should like the captain instructed that he must not permit himself to become involved in any incident. and that cruiser is there for refuge and moral influence. AMERICAN AMBASSADOR File No. 367.116/248 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 15, 1914. 151. Your 123, December 5, 8 p. m. Please continue to protest to Turkish Government against any change or disregard of the original privileges or capitulations under which American institutions, both religious and educational, were established, pointing out that this Government can not accept any modification of capitulations without previous agreement. BRYAN File No. 367.116/261a The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) [Telegram] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 20, 1914. 182. The President approves the suggestion that Americans should be advised to leave Turkey wherever you think it would be unsafe for them to remain, but he suggests that to avoid frightening friends in this country and attracting public attention it is better to handle the matter very guardedly and confidentially. Will you please, therefore, send private word to all the inland missions and advise them to retire from Turkey as soon as they can conveniently do so, if they feel that there are grounds for serious apprehension, stating that in giving this advice you have the approval of the President, but ask them to regard the advice as confidential and not to allow public mention to be made of it? If they send word to their friends at home they can simply state that they are intending to leave Turkey, without saying that they are advised to do so. In the case of Americans in Constantinople and Robert College and places near enough to be under the special protection of the Embassy, we assume that they will be constantly under your eye and guidance in such matters. BRYAN File No. 367.116/262 The Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Constantinople, December 22, 1914, 9 p. m. Received December 25, 9.30 a. m.] 197. Your 182. Your suggestion therein communicated to inland missions by Peet as letters have to be sent unsealed. I am writing Hollis to communicate it to Hoskins and Bliss and their nearby associates. In August we communicated with all interior missionaries your suggestion for them to go to seaports. Their response was that they will not desert their people in time of stress and danger but desire to share with those for whom they have labored many years whatever new dangers the present situation may create. Peet informs me that all agree that present conditions are no worse than those that existed several times before. All American missions and institutions are still in active operation and an abandonment by the managers would likely cause panic among the people and would jeopardize properties which would be left without protection and terminate most disastrously the splendid work achieved through ninety years of patient labor. Offer of thirteen American hospitals for Red Cross purposes was so appreciatingly accepted by Turkish authorities that all missionaries connected therewith are now receiving special protection. Usher Hospital at Van has its full capacity utilized by sick and wounded soldiers. From Sivas Doctor Clark and Ladies Graffensenger and Sewny have at the request of its military commander with approval of Sivas' governor, at Government expense, gone to Erzerum Mission Hospital which due to present exigencies has been enlarged by transformation of two mission school buildings into hospitals. Sivas hospitals under direction of [American?] physician running full capacity for needs of military. Missionaries at Bitlis are confident that they are safe. At Marash sense of security not so strong as elsewhere. The large hospital is used by military. College and other institutions are in full operation and about twelve Americans there prefer to remain. Harput institutions operating normally. No feeling of insecurity prevails. Am sending you these details to indicate conditions prevailing generally so that interested parties can be tranquilized. American institutions everywhere except at Smyrna and Beirut are absolutely pursuing even tenor of their way and a general sense of security prevails. Most of the missionaries are the only foreign residents at their several locations and have the respect and protection of the local authorities. I have some fear about safety of the Canadian missionaries connected with American institutions. Secured special permission for Mrs. Thomson, English woman connected with Girls College, to leave to-morrow, and at same time exacted renewed assurances from Minister of the Interior that all English connected with American institutions will receive special consideration. Owing to constant vacillation of Turkish authorities, I shall advise all these English people to leave when permission can be secured. AMERICAN AMBASSADOR File No. 763.72/1384 The Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) to the Secretary of State No. 152] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Constantinople, December 16, 1914. SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith, in duplicate, copy and translation of a note verbale received from the Sublime Porte concerning the Tennessee incident. As you informed me that the incident is considered closed, I at first thought it unnecessary to send the same to you-hence the delay. Upon reflection I deem it advisable to complete the record and show how slowly the Grand Vizierate works in these matters. Their answer came December 6, while the Minister of War's explanation was received on November 24. I have [etc.] H. MORGENTHAU [Enclosure-Translation] The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the American Embassy MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, The Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs begs to acknowledge the receipt of the note verbale which the Embassy of the United States of America has addressed to them on November 21. No. 95, regarding the incident which occurred to the captain of the American cruiser Tennessee while on his way to Smyrna in his launch. The investigation made with regard to this matter has proved that the competent military authorities had asked him twice, i. e., the commander of the above-mentioned cruiser, to quit the forbidden zone and to remove his wireless telegraphy but he declared, however, that he could not budge unless he received order to this effect from the American Ambassador at Constantinople. The next morning the launch of the said cruiser was seen, by the fortresses of the seashore, steering on its way to Smyrna and passing thereby the zone of the mines without paying heed to the signals which had been despatched repeatedly from the shore; in order to stop him a projectile was shot by the fortresses. It is useless to add that this way of acting was simply to guard him and the said launch from the danger before it. Besides it is the rule, in all countries, to apply this method of stopping the crew from penetrating into forbidden zones when same persist to continue their way in spite of the warrants given to them. On the other hand the Imperial Ministry having, by its circular dated November 10, last, informed the Embassy of the United States of America at the same time as all the foreign Missions of the closing of the port of Smyrna Captain Decker was expected to have full knowledge of the matter, especially since he himself has informed the assistant of the captain of the Smyrna port, sent to Ourla, that he had received communication on this subject by the American Government. By bringing this matter to the knowledge of the Ambassador of the United States of America, the Imperial Ministry is fully aware of the fact that your just and clear appreciation of the matter will agree that the military Ottoman authorities had but done their duty in these circumstances in order to avoid a serious accident. SPECIAL EFFORTS IN BEHALF OF BRITISH AND FRENCH 1 NATIONALS IN TURKEY 1 File No. 763.72/1188 The Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) to the Secretary of State2 [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Constantinople, November 5, 1914, 5 p. m. [Received November 9, 11 a. m.] Had conference yesterday with German Ambassador, who is being constantly consulted by Turkish officials and controls GermanTurkish Army officers, and obtained promise of his hearty cooperation of plan to have Turkish officials grant free departure to English and French as long as Turkish towns are not bombarded. As this morning French and English were again prevented departing by train, I telephoned Minister of War who thereafter called at Embassy and stated that this morning's trouble was due to misunderstanding of order which required all travelers to register at police station twenty-four hours before leaving. Minister of War assured me that Turkish Government wish to conduct their war with greater consideration to non-combatants than any other nation but if England or Greece attack any more unfortified towns the Turks' only possible reprisal is to detain all English and French subjects as they cannot send soldiers or ships to these countries. And as to Smyrna which 1 See despatch from the Ambassador in Turkey, No. 127, November 7, 1914 (ante, p. 136), for a general account of his efforts in assisting the departure of British and French nationals from Turkey during the first days of November and for another statement of the special threats contained in the following telegrams. 2 Repeated to the Ambassador in France November 10, No. 256, with instructions to repeat to the Ambassador in Great Britain. |