File No. 867.48/717
The Minister in Sweden ( Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11.58 p.m.]
1384. From Constantinople:
Undated [January 12?]. Funds which Dodge Relief Commission have sent Constantinople to help Christian population in Turkey lose 75 per cent of value owing to rate of exchange. Importation of gold is only means of remedy. Arrangement has been made with German Embassy by which latter agrees to receive gold in neutral countries and despatch it to Constantinople. In view of philanthropic nature of this work American Relief Committee, Constantinople, therefore requests American Government to ask some neutral government, preferably Swedish, which has charge of American interests in Turkey, to authorize purchase and exportation of German, French, or English gold or gold ingots for above-mentioned purpose and instruct American Legation, Stockholm, to receive Dodge funds for transmission in gold through intermediary of Royal Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to German Legation who will forward them to Constantinople. Winter is severe and mortality great and growing. There is no time to lose, thousands of children may be saved. Please consult Elkus and Dodge [, Barton, and Peet?], asking them to telegraph funds to American Legation, Stockholm, as soon as cooperation of Swedish Government has been assured. We are sending by courier who leaves Constantinople January 12 check for $50,000 payable to American Legation, Stockholm, for first transaction of this nature. Signed, Gates, Huntington, Fowle.
It is presumed that whatever arrangement is made will apply also to funds transmitted through Department. Urgent reply requested.