File No. 867.48/549
The Ambassador in Turkey ( Elkus) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 17, 12.30 a.m.]
2480. Have received a telegram from Djemal Pasha stating that he is satisfied that all of Caesar’s cargo be unloaded at Beirut for distribution as heretofore agreed; that Caesar may take passengers for Europe and that such passengers will only be detained in Beirut to comply with necessary formalities for one or two days. Djemal also requests that a second shipload be sent to Jaffa as the population of Jaffa and Jerusalem are in great need and that further supplies be sent to Beirut, all of which will be distributed in the same manner as Caesar cargo. Djemal agrees that Des Moines go to Jaffa to take wines and books as agreed and probably go to Beirut for passengers. Will have matter of Des Moines going to Beirut definitely settled again. All telegrams from interior much delayed owing to weather.
Have received telephone messages from War Office that German and Austrian submarines will in no way interfere with Des Moines and Caesar. Have asked Foreign Office to confirm this in writing and if Department approves will insist same should be obtained by Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs from Germany and Austria unless Department desires to obtain it through Austrian Embassy or mission in charge of German interests in America. Great need of food in Syria and Lebanon and if Department agrees that it is safe, I respectfully urge sending Caesar and also taking away Americans desiring to leave on Des Moines and Caesar.
Please read my telegram January 29 [25]1 to Warburg and urge immediate answer. Many Americans who have received permission to leave cannot do so because they have no [funds] to defray passage from Spain or Italy to America, but claim that people in America will furnish them with same as soon as they arrive, therefore want to borrow money for 60 or 90 days promising to repay same upon arrival in the United States. I requested Warburg to lend $50,000 for this reason and suggested that lending this money will avoid supporting these people.
- Not printed.↩