TURKEY REFUSAL BY THE UNITED STATES TO COMMIT ITSELF TO MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORITIES IN TURKEY-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1922 Oct. 24 (211) Oct. 27 (286) Oct. 28 (289) Nov. 1 (350) Nov. 4 (301) Nov. 7 (310) Nov. 7 (245) To the High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Instructions to report on Christian populations of Constantinople, their exodus, safety, possible Turkish guaranties; on number of Christian minorities in Anatolia and Eastern Thrace; on representations to Turkey as result of Smyrna disaster; on British threat to bombard Turks at Smyrna. From the High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Report that no further representations have been made, in From the High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Excerpt from address of Secretary of State delivered at (Instructions to repeat to Constantinople, London, and Rome.) From the High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Reports received by American, French, and Italian High Commissioners indicating intention of Turkish authorities to evacuate entire Christian population of Eastern Anatolia. U. S. Commissioner's presentation of strong representations against expulsion. Suggestion to Allied High Commissioners that joint note of protest be presented to Turkish Government. From the High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Uncertainty whether action of Angora Government is to be construed as permission for Greeks and Armenians to leave or order of departure; preparations of entire Greek and Armenian population to depart. Instructions to destroyers in Black Sea ports (text printed) to observe policy of detachment regarding evacuation of non-American refugees. To the High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Approval of action taken. Instructions to telegraph text Undated Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation with Undated Memorandum by the Secretary of State of a Conversation with the British Ambassador, November 13 Ambassador's attitude that threat of war would deter Turks; Secretary's objection to threat unless it can be carried out, pointing out impracticable nature of war with Turkey; U. S. desire rather to use diplomatic pressure to secure protection of Christians in Turkey. 943 944 945 947 949 950 951 952 955 TURKEY REFUSAL BY THE UNITED STATES TO COMMIT ITSELF TO MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORITIES IN TURKEY-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1922 Nov. 15 (326) Nov. 19 (338) Nov. 21 (391) Nov. 22 (481) Nov. 22 Nov. 26 (360) Nov. 29 (275) Dec. 13 From the High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Aide-memoire of November 4 and note verbale of November 8 presented to Hamid Bey (texts printed) regarding intention of Government to evacuate Christian population from Anatolia, quoting note verbale of November 6 from Allied Commissioners appealing for cancelation or postponement so that question may be discussed at peace conference. Hamid Bey's reply denying order of expulsion, permission to leave having been misconstrued as command. From the High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Certainty that Nationalist Government wishes to get rid of entire Greek and Armenian population of Anatolia and Constantinople and would like to have this a fait accompli or well under way before Lausanne Conference. Report on refugee situation. To the Ambassador in France (tel.) Telegram, dated November 18, from U. S. consul at Aleppo (text printed) stating Turks are obliging all Christians to abandon property and leave Turkey or become Moslem; his request for intervention. Instructions to inquire whether France has received like report from Syria, and to repeat his reply to American Mission at Lausanne. From the Ambassador in France (tel.) Information that similar reports are being received from Syria. France's intention to use diplomacy, looking to Lausanne Conference to alleviate situation. From the British Ambassador Estimate that quarter of million people are to be evacuated from Black Sea ports; request that U. S. representative at Constantinople be instructed to press for extension of time limit for departure. From the Acting High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Greek High Commissioner's request for U. S. intervention Instructions to use good offices to facilitate granting of To the British Ambassador Information regarding instructions to Special Mission at Lausanne Conference to secure from Turkish delegates assurances concerning Christian minorities; and instructions to High Commissioner at Constantinople to use good offices in facilitating departure of Christians and obtaining adequate protection for those remaining in Turkey. Suggestion that comprehensive plan of relief be adopted. 958 961 962 962 963 964 965 965 TURKEY NEGOTIATIONS BY THE OTTOMAN-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (CHESTER PROJECT) AND OTHER AMERICAN INTERESTS FOR CONCESSIONS IN TURKEY Date and number Subject Page From Rear Admiral C. M. Chester Request for interview regarding claim of Ottoman-American To Rear Admiral C. M. Chester Advice that Secretary is absent and that further interview seems hardly necessary; suggestion that any new aspects of matter may be taken up with Near Eastern Division or Foreign Trade Adviser's Office. From the High Commissioner at Constantinople Letter, dated March 8, from R. H. McDowell of Foundation Memorandum by the Economic Adviser of the Department of State To George W. Goethals & Co. Statement, in reply to request, that there is no complete history in Department of Chester project; request, in view of voluminous correspondence on subject and private character of negotiations, to be advised of exact nature of data desired. To the High Commissioner at Constantinople Information obtained from various U. S. promoters seeking The Office of Naval Intelligence, Navy Department, to the Naval From Admiral Chester: Announcement that Kennedy has From the High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Kennedy to Goethals: Conclusion of agreement with Government on greatly improved terms and to date back to 1909, requiring guaranty deposit; request that sum be placed with Guaranty Trust of N. Y. at once. From the High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Urgent request that question of Kennedy's status in relation to Ottoman-American Development Co. be cleared up; information that Kennedy has power of attorney giving him full authority to act for company. 966 967 967 971 973 973 976 976 977 TURKEY NEGOTIATIONS BY THE OTTOMAN-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT COMPANY AND OTHER AMERICAN INTERESTS FOR CONCESSIONS IN TURKEY-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1922 Oct. 20 (207) Oct. 26 Dec. 5 (370) Dec. 7 (282) Dec. 7 Dec. 9 (285) To the High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Telegram, dated October 14, from Goethals (text printed) refusing to repudiate Kennedy, and confirming his authority to act. His indication that deposit which Kennedy requires will be made. No instructions in view of disagreement between Goethals and Arthur Chester on one hand and Admiral Chester on other. From Major General George W. Goethals Facts relating to organization of Ottoman-American Development Co., submitted in response to Department's inquiry whether it is American corporation, officered and controlled by American interests. From the Acting High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Road building and mining rights which are contemplated in Chester concession; progress of negotiations. Inquiry concerning Admiral Chester's competency to speak for company, and regarding rumor that Kennedy is, or has been, in British secret service. To the Acting High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Message from Goethals (text printed) stating that Kennedy and Chester are accredited agents of the Ottoman-American Development Co., a company officered and controlled by Americans and owning all rights to the Chester project. Information concerning provisions of voting trust agreement signed by Goethals, Barnard, and Rousseau. Authorization to give proper support. From the Vice Consul in Charge at Angora Vice Consul's refusal to support Kennedy on ground he is not U. S. citizen; arrest and deportation of Kennedy by Turkish authorities who believe him to be backed by British interests. Request for information as to status of Ottoman-American Development Co., since Kennedy incident has created unpleasant impression. To the Acting High Commissioner at Constantinople (tel.) Goethals to Kennedy: Information that interests at this end are working harmoniously; inquiry whether any assistance can be rendered; expression of hope that Kennedy and Chester will cooperate closely. 977 978 979 980 981 983 URUGUAY URUGUAYAN PROPOSAL THAT THE FORMATION OF A LEAGUE OF AMERICAN NATIONS BE DISCUSSED AT THE FIFTH PAN AMERICAN CONFERENCE 1922 Aug. 2 (54) To the Chargé in Peru (tel.) Interviews with Uruguayan Minister and Peruvian Ambassador in which Secretary stated he had no objection to inclusion of topic proposed by Uruguay in the agenda for the Pan American Conference; his opinion that a loose association without commitments would be better than a hard and fast organization, which might compromise independence. (Instructions to repeat to Quito and La Paz for information. Sent also to other Latin-American countries and to France to be repeated to all missions in Europe.) 984 URUGUAY URUGUAYAN PROPOSAL THAT THE FORMATION OF A LEAGUE OF AMERICAN NATIONS BE DISCUSSED AT THE FIFTH PAN AMERICAN CONFERENCEContinued Date and number Subject Page 1922 Sept. 2 (31) Sept. 6 (16) From the Chargé in Uruguay (tel.) Refutation by Uruguay of rumor that Uruguay considered submitting_question of Pan American League to League of Nations. Suggestion that Uruguay be informed in general terms of U. S. attitude on question of Pan American League. To the Chargé in Uruguay (tel.) Instructions to communicate orally to Foreign Minister exact attitude of Department as expressed in circular telegram of August 5, if deemed expedient. VENEZUELA 985 986 TREATY OF EXTRADITION AND ADDITIONAL ARTICLE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND VENEZUELA, SIGNED JANUARY 19 AND 21, 1922 To the Minister in Venezuela Inquiry whether laws of Venezuela prohibit capital punishment and if so whether Government would be disposed to insist upon inclusion in extradition treaty of a provision that cognizance be taken of her law. From the Minister in Venezuela Information that article 22 of Venezuelan Constitution prohibits capital punishment. Foreign Minister's assurance that Government would have no objection to signing extradition treaty provided it excluded penalty of death in its provisions; suggested language for such provision in treaty. Minister's hope that Department may favor conclusion of commercial and general treaty, which might include subject of extradition. To the Minister in Venezuela Opinion extradition treaty should be treated separately and apart from question of commercial treaty. Instructions to state that, in view of sovereignty of several States, Federal assurances cannot be given regarding question of penalties; and to present counterproposal (text printed) that contracting parties reserve right to decline extradition for crimes punishable by death except upon State's assurance that death penalty will not be inflicted. From the Minister in Venezuela (tel.) Foreign Minister's willingness to sign treaty of extradition incorporating as article 19 the Department's counterproposal; otherwise draft treaty to be identical with Venezuelan treaty with Bolivia. To the Minister in Venezuela Objections to making treaty between Venezuela and Bolivia a model for proposed extradition treaty with United States; suggestion of formulation of treaty on terms similar to U. S. treaty with Honduras or Paraguay. 987 987 989 990 990 |