868.00/340: Telegram The Chargé in Greece (Caffery) to the Secretary of State [Paraphrase] ATHENS, December 11, 1922-4 p. m. [Received December 12-3: 42 a. m.] 183. Upon receipt of Department's 84 of December 1, I acted at once as directed. Foreign Minister said that your disinterested advice was appreciated; that American opinion about the executions gave the authorities much concern; and that any action which might further alienate American public sentiment would be avoided. There have since been released some persons who had been imprisoned in order to curb their political activities before the coming elections . . . But the truth is, nevertheless, that the chief political enemies of Venizelos have all been put to death, and that groups of Venizelist officers in Athens now control the country. Official disapproval of the executions has been expressed by practically all my colleagues, who are maintaining an attitude of great reserve in their relations with the Foreign Office. CAFFERY 868.001 C 76/83 The Secretary of State to Mr. George B. Christian, Jr., Secretary to President Harding WASHINGTON, January 13, 1923. MY DEAR MR. CHRISTIAN: In accordance with the desire expressed in your letter of today,' there is sent to you enclosed a translation of the telegram from the King of Greece announcing the death of his father, the late King. 7 As we have of late had no official intercourse with the Greek Government, neither with the present King nor with his father, it would be consistent with our past action to acknowledge the receipt of this communication through the American Chargé d'Affaires at Athens rather than for the President to telegraph an answer in his own name. I therefore suggest that the following telegram be sent to the Chargé d'Affaires, if it should meet with the President's approval: 'Not printed. "You are directed to say informally to the Minister for Foreign Affairs that the President has received a telegraphic communication from the King, announcing the death of his father, and to express suitably, under the circumstances, the condolences of the President." I am [etc.] CHARLES E. HUGHES AMERICAN RELIEF ACTIVITIES ON BEHALF OF GREEKS EVACUATED FROM TURKISH TERRITORY" 767.68/274: Telegram The Consul General at Smyrna (Horton) to the Acting Secretary of State SMYRNA, September 2, 1922-4 p.m. Military situation extremely grave owing to exhaustion and low morale of Greek forces. Ushak and Kutay Aintab [Kutaya and Aidin?] were evacuated and burned yesterday. First army corps badly demoralized has retired to position west of Ushak. It has been joined by second corps which narrowly escaped being [captured?] by making wide detour. This force is now barring Turkish advance on Smyrna but is not dependable. Third army corps is at Eskishehir but will probably soon evacuate and burn the town. Reenforcing division expected to-day and others soon. My opinion is that situation is so serious that it cannot now be saved. Panic spreading among Christian population foreigners as well as Greeks and many are trying to leave. When demoralized Greek Army reaches Smyrna serious trouble more than possible and threats to burn the town are freely heard. In view of the above I respectfully request that cruiser be despatched to Smyrna to protect consulate and nationals. HORTON 767.68/276: Telegram The Consul General at Smyrna (Horton) to the Acting Secretary of State SMYRNA, September 4, 1922-noon. [Received September 5-12:45 a.m.] Following telegram has been sent to Admiral Bristol: "September 4, noon. Refugees pouring into Smyrna and panic increasing. In interests of humanity and for safety American inter For other correspondence concerning the protection of minorities in Turkey, see pp. 919 ff. ests beg you to mediate with Angora Government for amnesty [sic] sufficient to allow Greek forces to evacuate. Amnesty will avoid possible destruction of Smyrna, which may result from blowing up of ammunition dumps and acts of mutinous and demoralized Greek soldiers. Greek High Commissioner last night authorized me verbally to take steps towards mediation. I repeated my request for one or more naval units. British Consul General informs me that he has telegraphed in the same sense to his High Commissioner. Horton." HORTON 767.68/274: Telegram The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Smyrna (Horton) WASHINGTON, September 5, 1922-4 p. m. Your September 2, 4 p. m. Substance has been sent through Navy Dept. to Admiral Bristol, with authorization to send destroyers, since no cruisers available, to Smyrna to assist in care of American lives and property, it being clearly understood that sending war vessels is solely for such protection of Americans and not intended as taking part in any naval or political demonstration. PHILLIPS 767.68/276: Telegram The Acting Secretary of State to the High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) WASHINGTON, September 5, 1922—4 p. m. 113. Reference telegram of September 4, noon, from the American Consul at Smyrna to you repeated to the Department. Department is not inclined to do more than send destroyers to Smyrna to assist in protection of American lives and property. The situation would not appear to justify this Government assuming the role of voluntary mediator. PHILLIPS 868.48/83: Telegram The High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) to the Acting Secretary of State CONSTANTINOPLE, September 6, 1922-noon. [Received 10:25 p.m.] 168. For American Red Cross. Conditions in Smyrna owing to military situation may create serious disaster. I have received from British High Commission request for assistance to refugees. I had meeting of representatives of American relief and benevolent institutions in Constantinople and we have organized disaster relief committee for Smyrna situation with members of these institutions and of commercial interests. Major Davis as special member of disaster relief committee with medical unit will proceed by destroyer to Smyrna and study situation and make recommendations. Locally there are no funds available for relief work Smyrna. I earnestly request that I be informed by cable that this chapter has been authorized to draw on headquarters for funds on condition that they will be utilized only if the necessity arises. I suggest that fund of $50,000 be made immediately available for this chapter. I am sending this message in code in order that it may not be advertised at large that we intended to undertake relief work in Smyrna and for the same reason I recommend that no funds be allotted by the Red Cross to other institutions for this work. I will use all my influence to have Allies contribute full share for any necessary relief in Smyrna. I will keep you informed of any proposed expenditure. BRISTOL 868.48/83: Telegram The Acting Secretary of State to the High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) WASHINGTON, September 8, 1922-6 p.m. 116. Your 168, September 6, noon, has been communicated to Red Cross. Department had already received urgent appeal from Smyrna, which had been presented to Red Cross and Near East Relief with suggestion that they cooperate in meeting the emergency. Replies have now been received from both. Red Cross intimates, provisionally and before receipt of your 168, that in absence of Chairman and in view of arrangement with Near East Relief as to respective spheres of action, further consideration will be necessary. Near East Relief says that Constantinople office has been authorized to contribute to the value of $25,000 and that Red Cross is being urged to consider Smyrna emergency as within its proper sphere. PHILLIPS 868.48/87 Telegram The Chargé in Greece (Caffery) to the Acting Secretary of State ATHENS, September 8, 1922-6 p. m. [Received September 9-9: 11 a. m.] 111. Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs called on me today to make urgent appeal to the Government of the United States to help save 500,000 refugees he says are congregated in Asia Minor ports. He states Greek Government willing to receive these refugees but Greek vessels now employed evacuating Greek troops from Asia Minor and Greek Government has no boats to bring refugees to Greece and no food or tents for them therefore Greek Government appeals urgently for ships and food and tents. Same appeal made to Allied representatives here. French and Italian representatives believe attempt should be made by Allies to organize protection and relief refugees in Asia Minor ports as they consider their transportation to Greece now impracticable. British representative transmitting appeal to London. CAFFERY 767.68/296: Telegram The Consul General at Smyrna (Horton) to the Acting Secretary of State SMYRNA, September 8, 1922-10 p. m. [Received September 9-12:22 a. m.] Turkish forces expected to arrive tomorrow night or morning after. Please telegraph urgently what will be my relations if any with the Kemalist military or civil authorities. HORTON 767.68/296: Telegram The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Smyrna (Horton) WASHINGTON, September 9, 1922-4 p.m. Your September 8, 10 p.m. You will bear in mind that your Government recognizes the existing regime neither in Greece nor in Asia Minor, and that diplomatic relations with the Sublime Porte have not been resumed. Nevertheless for practical reasons it will be advantageous for you to remain unofficially at your post as an American Consul without exequatur and as a delegate of the High Commissioner at Constantinople. Vice Consul Imbrie has a similar status at Angora, and in case of necessity you will so remind the local authorities. If diffi culties arise report to the Department as well as to the High Commissioner at Constantinople, to whom the substance of this instruction is being sent for his information and guidance. PHILLIPS |