File No. 763.72115/335
The Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) to the Secretary of State
Constantinople, December 18, 1914, 3 p.m.
[Received December 19, 8:30 a.m.]
[Telegram]
178. German Ambassador informs me he has received inquiry from his Government concerning deportation of British and French, Beirut. He considers measure justified by military needs and so advised Ottoman Minister of War before order was given and therefore will not exert his influence to have it changed.
On the 10th instant I had strongly advised Minister of the Interior to withdraw or at least considerably modify this order and urged him to communicate my views to Minister of Marine, now military commander at Damascus, who always professed great friendship for me. Minister of the Interior promised to do so and to recommend compliance with my request. Hollis telegraphed yesterday that orders have been issued allowing all belligerent females and males up to eighteen to leave Beirut within twelve days.