File No. 367.116/361
The Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 6, 8.20 p. m.]
1008. American schools and colleges are opening under following conditions: Government demands religious exercises and instruction shall be optional for non-Christians but may be obligatory for Christians. Turkish must be taught to Ottomans but in lowest class only. Heavy taxes are demanded on school buildings, hospitals, and lands, abrogating previous agreements and firmans. Embassy is protesting. Owing to general deportation of Armenians in Asia Minor, accompanied by massacres, atrocities, and starvation, schools in those provinces may not open, or will open under greatest difficulties. Inform Barton, Boston; Dodge, Crane, Brown, New York.