File No. 891.48/75
The Consul at Tabriz ( Paddock), Temporarily at Casvin, to the Secretary of State
[Received August 24, 5.20 p.m.]
My telegram of August 15, 1 p.m.1 The last reports probably about 40,000 refugees expected to arrive Hamadan; 15,000 are said to have been massacred or died en route. British organizing refuge camps, hospitals, but our assistance required immediately. With the [Page 570] approval of the Legation I expect to visit Hamadan to help to organize work with the American missionaries pending the arrival of the American Relief Committee, but it is believed it is not advisable to transfer my consular office already established at this most central point. American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief, New York, should be advised funds needed at once, may be transmitted to treasurer, Presbyterian Mission, or to me here because there is not communication with Vanneman, treasurer, or the other members of the Persian Committee. British staff here has been informed that 5,000 Christians, including 19 Americans, remained Urumiah, therefore it is very possible Shedds were only missionaries to leave. Full details not yet received. … Am informed that because of food scarcity in Persia it is probable that the majority of Syrian refugees incapable of military service will be sent by the British to Mesopotamia.
- Not printed.↩