861.00/6232: Telegram
The High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 26—10:23 p.m.]
60. Following from Admiral McCully [, Novorossiisk?].
“4. January 23, noon. British battleship with Vice Admiral de Robeck arrived January 21, and other vessels and troops are expected. Impression exists in Novorossiisk that British intend to occupy the place and British do not trouble to correct. Reported that Red armies are advancing southward between Don and Volga Rivers. Preparations being made by Russians to discharge at Theodosia, in Crimea, cargo vessels bound to Novorossiisk. In Novorossiisk are several Americans and wives of Russian husbands, almost without means for whom funds estimated at $3,000 will be necessary if they are to be repatriated. British are doing splendid work but are evacuating only wounded and families of officers. No [evacuations] are made to Crimea on account of lack of food there. Persons with means only may go to Constantinople, others must go to Prinkipo where there is room for about 1500 only. Many others of intelligent educated classes of irreproachable character with notable family names of Orlov, Naryshkin [?], Tolstoi, Tretiakov and of late Imperial family have little means of identification and are living under pitiable conditions. Some of them would like to go to America but transportation would have to be furnished them. Request to be informed if there be any means for helping these people.”