The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page )1
1261. American Ambassador Constantinople suggests the establishment of neutral zones in Pera, Stamboul, and Scutari which Turkish authorities should leave unfortified and invading forces, in case Constantinople is attacked, should agree not to bombard or use for landing troops. This would enable non-combatants to secure safety. Ambassador states that the Turkish Minister of War favors this plan. Please present matter to British Government and ascertain if it would be disposed to favor establishment of such neutral zones, and impress British Government with great desirability of some such plan for safety of non-combatants. Matter has also been laid before French and Russian Governments.
- The same, mutatis mutandis, to the Ambassador in France (No. 629) and Russia (No. 239) March 12.↩