File No. 763.72/1158
The Ambassador in Turkey ( Morgenthau ) to the Secretary of State
Constantinople , October 31, 1914, 5 p.m.
[Received November 2, 9 a.m.]
[Telegram]
When arranging for special train for to-morrow for English and French Ambassadors and their suite this morning with the Minister [Page 128] of the Interior, the latter requested me to see Russian Ambassador and ascertain what apology or action of Sublime Porte would pacify Russian Government. He asked me to do this as a personal favor. I saw Russian Ambassador and he said nothing else than the dismissal of all German officers, sailors and soldiers now in Turkish employ would satisfy Russia. Russian Ambassador said that his instructions were absolute to leave immediately, but that whenever Turkish Government would telegraph that the Germans had departed he would return and resume relations. Shortly afterwards Minister of Agriculture called at Embassy with same request as Minister of the Interior had made. I told him Russian answer. Russian Ambassador and French Ambassador just called together and Russian Ambassador informed me he was leaving at seven to-night. [Was] assisted by Italian Ambassador in arranging safe departure of Russians and arranged to have all panic-[stricken] Americans leave to-morrow.