File No. 763.72/656
The Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) to the Secretary of State
Constantinople, August 27, 1914, 11 p.m.
[Received August 28, 8:30 a.m.]
[Telegram]
British Ambassador, whose Smyrna consular despatches were much more alarming than ours, requested my cooperation to prevent trouble in Smyrna. Grand Vizier having been unsuccessful in restraining Governor General and it being impossible to reach the Secretary of War on account of an operation, I called upon German Ambassador who, with the assistance of German military mission, and on account of presence of Goeben in Marmora, is generally recognized at present as the controlling spirit of the military party here. German Ambassador reiterated that Germany wants Turkish neutrality but intends to prevent Russia from taking Constantinople which Germany thinks is the prize that Russia will demand if victorious; Dardanelles are, in the opinion of the Admiral of the Goeben, as well fortified as Cuxhaven and impregnable against English and French fleets in Mediterranean; Dardanelles will not be closed for commerce unless attacked. German Ambassador admitted that Turkey intends to burn Smyrna if attacked. I made strong representations to him that the threats of burning Smyrna must be [Page 80] stopped as fanatical Moslems might really do it without being ordered. An American war vessel in Smyrna Harbor undoubtedly will exert restraining influence. German policy is to discourage trouble and assist preventing it as they want Constantinople kept intact and German Ambassador claims that presence of Goeben in Marmora and control exerted over army by military commission positively assures continuance in office of present Cabinet and will prevent any massacres or internal revolutions. German Ambassador authorized me to repeat all this to British Ambassador, who in turn authorized me to state that Great Britain has no intention of attacking Smyrna but would force Dardanelles if closed against commerce. Interchange of German and British messages through me and my assuring both that neither wanted trouble has relieved the tension. German Ambassador displays great cordiality for Great Britain but decided antipathy against Russia.