File No. 704.6712/4.
The Secretary of State to Ambassador Morgenthau.
Washington, April 19, 1915.
598. Referring your despatch March 10 urging protection Ottoman subjects in Mexico. Please bring to attention of Turkish Government following facts: This Government has no diplomatic representative [Page 1077] of its own in Mexico, nor has it a consular officer in the City of Mexico at the present time, but is acting through the Brazilian Minister. The work thus imposed upon him is so onerous and exacting that we feel it would be an injustice to him to add to his burdens. We would, therefore, suggest that the Turkish Government request some other legation to act for it in diplomatic matters and for the protection of Ottoman subjects in the City of Mexico.
The Government of the United States, however, will be pleased to instruct its consular officers in other districts of Mexico to extend their good offices and protection to the subjects of the Ottoman Empire within their jurisdiction. We are sure that the Turkish Government will appreciate the situation and make the arrangements suggested. You will assure the Turkish Government that we would be pleased to act for it at the capital if we had a diplomatic representative of our own in Mexico.