File No. 763.72/1728
The Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 3, 8 a. m.]
623. Minister of War stated to me to-day that Allied fleet and aeroplanes are bombarding Gallipoli and other unfortified places on the peninsula, killing non-combatants. Minister of War has, therefore, decided to send French and British subjects from Constantinople to those places, exposing them to the same danger. He will delay carrying out this measure until May 6, in order to give time for the receipt of assurance that orders are sent to discontinue such bombardment. Please communicate this to British and French Governments who may answer direct to me to gain time.1
- Transmitted May 3 to the Ambassadors in Great Britain (No. 1492) and France (No. 776) with instructions to communicate answers directly to the Ambassador in Turkey.↩