File No. 867.4016/96
The Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) to the Secretary of State 1
[Received August 19, 11.45 a. m.]
936. There are about 30 British Jews, 420 French Jews, 180 Russian Jews and 200 other belligerent Jews whose respective nationalities unreported and 310 neutral Jews such as Greek, Roumanian, Spanish, and American at Haifa, Jerusalem, Jaffa, and Beirut. The Turkish Government states that unless they are bound to some other country they will intern all of them that are belligerents. Egypt and Rhodes refuse to receive any more Jews. I am trying to obtain reconsideration of Egyptian Government. The Turkish Government refuses permission for any Christian neutral to be transported unless each ship taking neutrals will take three times as many belligerent Jews. Will you kindly communicate with British and French Governments and have them arrange to what port or ports these are to be sent. Glazebrook telegraphs they are suffering great hardship at the harbors as they have disposed of their homes and are destitute. The Turkish Government’s decision has frustrated plans to transport Italian subjects and may lead to an open rupture between Italy and Turkey.
- Repeated, August 20, to the Ambassadors in Great Britain (No. 1997) and France (No. 1041).↩