867.4016/744 The British Ambassador (Geddes) to the Secretary of State WASHINGTON, November 22, 1922. MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: On the 17th instant you were good enough to send me a confidential memorandum 82 communicating the text of two notes addressed to the Angora Government by the United States High Commissioner at Constantinople in regard to the deportation of Christians by the Turkish authorities. You also informed me of the conversations which had taken place on the subject between Admiral Bristol and representatives of the Angora Government. I desire to express my cordial thanks for your courtesy in making this communication, which will, I know, prove of great interest to His Majesty's Government. My latest news from Constantinople is that there are at present in that city some thirty-five thousand Armenian refugees from Anatolia without means of support. Refugees continue to arrive daily from the Black Sea ports, at which there are understood to be some thirty-nine thousand Greek in addition to an unknown number of Armenian fugitives. The Christians from the interior who are taking advantage of the "permission" granted them by Turkey to leave Anatolia by the 30th instant are also making for the Black Sea ports. The number of people ultimately to be evacuated from those ports is estimated at not less than a quarter of a million. Having regard to the near approach of the date by which evacuation must cease, my Government have asked me to express to you the hope that, on purely humanitarian grounds, the Government of the United States will be prepared to instruct their representative at Constantinople to press strongly for an extension of the time limit. It is, of course, obvious that the evacuation cannot be effected in the time allowed and there can be little doubt, I fear, of the fate which awaits those who remain after the date fixed by the Angora Government for the termination of the evacuation. My Government are of opinion that representations designed to secure an extension of the time limit, if made, are less likely to prove ineffectual if addressed by the United States representative independently of his colleagues. I hope to call on you tomorrow, when we shall have an opportunity to discuss this. In the meantime I think it well to let you have my fresh information without delay. 33 A. C. GEDDES See telegram no. 326, Nov. 15, from the High Commissioner at Constantinople, p. 958. 32604 vol. 11-38-68 867.4016/759: Telegram The Acting High Commissioner at Constantinople (Dolbeare) to the CONSTANTINOPLE, November 26, 1922—10 a. m. 360. Greek High Commissioner has made following requests upon me: (1) to intervene with the Nationalist Government to secure extension of the time limit for departure of Christians; (2) to secure guarantees from Nationalist Government that Greek ships proceeding to evacuate refugees shall not be attacked but allowed to navigate freely in the Black Sea; (3) that an American destroyer be stationed in the Anatolian port to which a Greek ship is proceeding and act there as intermediary between ship and the Turkish authorities; (4) that American destroyers escort and protect Greek ships referred to above. To question three, I have replied that for humanitarian reasons I will endeavor to keep destroyers in those ports where Greek ships are expected to arrive to evacuate refugees and that the destroyers' commanders will act as intermediaries between local Turkish officials and guarantee ship [Greek ships?] to secure permission for the latter to enter and will assist in the actual work of evacuation but that I will not assume the responsibility for breach of faith on the part of Turkish officials. To question four, I replied in the negative. To questions one and two, I have replied that I would have to request instructions from my Government. Latest reports of our destroyers Anatolian ports indicate arrival of considerable numbers of refugees from interior. Approximately 8,000 already at Mersina and equal number at Samsun. If it has not already arisen therefore a situation may arise in immediate future where our assistance in work of evacuation may be imperative on purely humanitarian grounds. It is true that an injudicious or premature compliance with the Greek High Commissioner's first and second requests might be considered inconsistent with previous representations to Turks against evacuation of Christians from Anatolia and might even be used by the Turkish Government as an excuse for hastening such evacuation. The Department should bear in mind, however, that in spite of our representations the evacuation is becoming more of a fait accompli every day and it is not likely that any action taken at Lausanne will alter situation at least so far as Anatolia is concerned. I do not believe we should refuse our help in a situation which is rapidly assuming many of the characteristics of a relief problem pure and simple and I request authorization therefore to comply with Greek High Commissioner's first and second re quests at such opportune time and through such informal channels as local conditions may suggest. DOLBEARE 867.4016/759: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Acting High Commissioner at WASHINGTON, November 29, 1922-6 p. m. 275. Your 360, November 26, 10 a. m. (1) On humanitarian grounds you may use your good offices to facilitate the granting of permission for Christians to depart from Anatolia if they so desire. Department believes that such permission should be given without reference to any specific time limit and that Turkish authorities should afford adequate protection to the Christians who may desire to remain in Anatolia, (2) As this Government was not a party to the Mudania armistice between Greece, Turkey and the Allies, it would not be appropriate for you to take the initiative in securing guarantee of immunity for Greek ships as requested by Greek High Commissioner. You may of course make clear to the Turks the necessity for proper protection of refugees, whether during evacuation or while remaining in the country, (3) Destroyers may appropriately assist during the evacuation of refugees in so far as this is consistent with instructions of the Navy Department. (4) Department approves your action in declining the request for the convoying of Greek ships. HUGHES 867.4016/744 The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Geddes) WASHINGTON, December 13, 1922. MY DEAR MR. AMBASSADOR: Referring to your letter of November 22nd and our conversation of November 23rd in regard to the question of the Christian minorities in Turkey, I desire again to express my great interest in this question. I have instructed our representatives at Lausanne 4 that they should lose no opportunity to impress upon the Turkish delegates that they were compromising their position before the world in failing to make it clear that there was no desire or intention on their 24 Instructions not printed. part to drive out over a million people under conditions of extraordinary hardship, suffering and loss of life. The Department impressed upon the American Mission at Lausanne the desirability of securing from the Turkish delegates a satisfactory assurance that there was no intention to force an evacuation of the Christian minorities in Turkey, and also that the male relatives of refugees in Greece should be allowed to rejoin their families. The High Commission at Constantinople has been authorized to use its good offices to facilitate arrangements for the departure of Christians who desired to leave Anatolia but [it was?] pointed out that adequate protection should be afforded to those who remained in Turkey. American naval forces in the Near East have also been assisting in facilitating the departure of the Christians who had reached the sea coast of Anatolia in their effort to flee the country. As I indicated to you orally on November 23rd, I feel that it would be most helpful if a comprehensive plan of relief could be adopted to meet the grave conditions that have arisen. I am [etc.] CHARLES E. HUGHES NEGOTIATIONS BY THE OTTOMAN-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (CHESTER PROJECT) AND OTHER AMERICAN INTERESTS FOR CONCESSIONS IN TURKEY “ 867.602 Ot 81/183 Rear Admiral C. M. Chester to the Secretary of State WASHINGTON, February 8, 1922. DEAR MR. SECRETARY: Understanding from the public press that you will soon take up again for consideration "the solution of the Anglo-American dispute over the Mesopotamia oil fields and other questions growing out of the world's oil supply" I respectfully request to be accorded an interview with you, as the Attorney of the Ottoman-American Exploration company, that has a pending claim on petroleum deposits in the Middle Eastern States. So much has occurred relating to this subject since I last had the honor to consult you which has a strong bearing on the case, that I think you should be informed concerning the action that has already been taken by the company. To refer briefly to some major points I would mention the result of interviews held by Sir John Cadman, the British Royal Petroleum Expert and myself and capitalists who have invested in the claims. Also to an interview, held in Constantinople, between M. Franklin Boullion, the Representative of the French Government, who nego For previous correspondence concerning the Chester project, see Foreign Relations, 1921, vol. II, pp. 917 ff. tiated the Franco-Turkish Treaty, and Commander Arthur Chester, the Agent of the Ottoman-American Exploration Co. concerning cooperation between the French and American interests in Syria. Commander Chester, who carried on the negotiations for the American company, in 1911, with the Ottoman Government for the construction of railroads and the exploitation of minerals in Turkey, is now here getting ready to return to Constantinople, where he has resided for the past two years, as Director of American Shipping in the Near East, to proceed with negotiations with the Angora Government, at its request, for the consummation of the Chester Project. I request the privilege of presenting him to you as a witness for the American claimants. Very respectfully yours C. M. CHESTER 867.602 Ot 81/183 The Acting Secretary of State to Rear Admiral C. M. Chester WASHINGTON, February 18, 1922. SIR: The receipt is acknowledged of your letter of February 8, 1922, requesting an interview with the Secretary of State on behalf of the Ottoman American Exploration Company, which is stated to have a claim to petroleum deposits in the Near East. The Secretary of State is now absent from the Department, but upon his return your request will be called to his attention. It is suggested, however, that, in view of your conversation with the Secretary on May 24, 1921,37 a further interview would hardly seem necessary; and, accordingly, you may wish to take up with the officials of the Near Eastern Division or the Foreign Trade Adviser's Office any new aspects of the matter which you have in mind. I am [etc.] HENRY P. FLETCHER 867.77/395 The High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) to the Secretary No. 134 of State SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of a letter which I have received from Mr. Robert H. McDowell, as well as of "Agent of the U. S. Shipping Board. 27 See Department memorandum of May 24, 1921, Foreign Relations, 1921, vol. II, p. 921. |