Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1914, Supplement, The World War
File No. 867.00/643
The Vice Consul at Smyrna (Morris) to the Secretary of State
Smyrna, August 10, 1914.
[Received September 4.]
Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of a letter which I have sent to the Embassy at Constantinople, concerning the political situation in Smyrna. I have [etc.]
[Enclosure]
The Vice Consul at Smyrna (Morris) to the Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau)
Smyrna , August 8, 1914.
Sir: Following upon my telegram of the 4th instant, I have the honor to report upon the local situation brought about by the outbreak of war in Europe.
The immediate effect of the declaration of war by Germany was the stoppage of almost all exportation and the cessation of cash payments by the banks. Many people were caught unawares and to-day people of wealth are unable to obtain enough money for daily living expenses. Fortunately an exception was made by the banks in favor of the consulates and up to the present United States Government drafts are honored without question. From a business viewpoint the outbreak of war at this time means heavy loss to Smyrna. The fruit exportation was just about to commence. This fruit exportation is the principal source of wealth to Smyrna, and its loss will have disastrous consequences.
The closing of business houses has naturally thrown many persons out of employment, particularly Turks of the hamal class, who, if left in idleness, might become a serious problem for those charged with the peace and quiet of the city. This would be particularly the case if a stringency in the staple articles of food came about, a state of affairs which seems far from improbable, However, the one good feature of the Turkish mobilization is that it is absorbing a large percentage of this class. Otherwise the order for a general call to arms has had a most deplorable effect. Leaving aside the material losses, caused by the requisitioning of horses, carts, and other military requisites and the preemption by the army of all public service utilities, the moral effect upon the population has been of the worst. This effect is particularly pronounced amongst the foreigners, and especially the large English colony. No one will believe for an instant that this mobilization is not intended to end in an open declaration in favor of Germany and Austria. The fact that [Page 763] the German officers of the mission did not sail with the German reservists, strengthens this belief. The entire, English colony is in a state of anxiety and fear, which has a More or less sympathetic reaction upon the members of the American colony. I feel that this state of mind is absolutely unjustified at present. There is no hostility displayed towards any foreigners to-day; the attitude of to-morrow will depend upon events. Every day, almost every hour, the most alarming rumors spring from nowhere and rush from Mouth to mouth, and are discussed with bated breath until a new rumor claims attention. These rumors fabricated by malicious minds naturally are keeping the people in a state bordering on hysteria. Many people have left and more would go but for the lack of steamers. The few traveling Americans caught here at the beginning of this week have all managed to get boats for southern European ports judging the situation as best I can, I am convinced that so long as Turkey remains neutral, the foreign population has nothing to fear here. But, as I tried to make clear in my telegram of the 4th instant, if Turkey enters the conflict on the side of Germany, the situation will suddenly contain elements of the gravest danger to the entire Christian population. Therefore, I respectfully reiterate my opinion, as expressed in my telegram of the 4th instant, concerning the advisability of having a warship here. I am pleased to learn that the Embassy has referred my request to the Department, which I hope will see its way clear to act without delay, Practically every member of the American colony has asked that a warship be sent. I, in conjunction with the British Vice Consul, have used my best efforts to convince the Anglo-American colony that their present alarms are unjustified, not however with much success. There is a tendency on the part of the lower-class natives to disregard the various little acts of respectful consideration which they usually show towards the chelibi, or foreign employer. The officials also are showing a desire to disregard the privileges enjoyed by the franks. Since last Sunday; there have been several flagrant breaches of capitulatory rights, which surely would not have occurred before the out-break of this awful conflagration. Even though the intervention of the consulates concerned was effective it is clear that the prestige of Europe has been sadly diminished in the eyes of the Ottomans. The mobilization and requisitioning of all sorts of supplies continues. The Governor General yesterday attempted to seize all the coal of the Archipelago American Steamship Company in consequence of the order prohibiting the exportation of oil, petroleum, and coal from the country, Without this coal the company’s steamers would have been left idle in port. The Consulate managed to secure its release though with some difficulty. There have been many cases of the authorities entering upon foreign property and seizing horses, carriages, and automobiles by force and giving no receipt for them. The English residents have suffered most from this manner of action no cases of Americans so far. In general the officials show a scant lack of consideration towards foreigners. So far the price of foodstuffs has not gone up, but flour will do so soon, and will probably be followed by other staples.
Postal communication is most irregular and uncertain with Constantinople, and has quite ceased with Europe. I will keep the Embassy informed telegraphically and by despatches as the situation develops here.
I have [etc.]
Leland B. Morris