File No. 867.48/556
The Ambassador in Turkey ( Elkus) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 26, 8.20 p.m.]
2513. Your 3363, February 20, 5 p.m., received yesterday and contents immediately communicated orally to Turkish Foreign Minister. Note from Foreign Office dated February 22, written before above communication, stated that according to the Turkish War Office Imperial authorities did not dispose of [have at their disposal] means to pilot Caesar and Des Moines on entering and leaving the ports at which they call, but should these vessels arrive during the day the local authorities would take the necessary steps. Said War Office further stated that German Admiralty had informed it that said Admiralty had instructed the submarines to allow the Caesar and Des Moines to pass, but seeing that errors in the blockaded zone are not impossible their safety could not be guaranteed. On the 21st instant Minister had told me Germans could not guarantee against danger from floating mines but note of the 22d instant mentions nothing concerning latter. Am sending the Sublime Porte note embodying your 3363, urging immediate reply, and will telegraph same as soon as received. Has Department any further instructions?