861.00/7723: Telegram
The High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 20—9:38 a.m.]
592. Thus far there have arrived in Constantinople 25 Russian vessels not counting vessels of war. General Wrangel has not yet arrived. The number of refugees and soldiers now in the harbor is estimated at about 100,000. The French are taking charge of the Russian refugees, the Italians are giving no assistance, the British residents as well as the Army and Navy are taking up a popular subscription and the remarks amongst the British generally is that they are disgusted that their Government does not render any assistance. All American institutions here have organized to render [Page 630] every possible aid by popular subscription by contributing old clothes and every other means available. Large sums of money are required to do effective work but practically none are available. The Red Cross is using certain funds left over from the Crimea appropriation. The crying necessity and the one which of first importance is to move these Russians from Constantinople as soon as possible to some place where they can be landed and proper relief measures rendered. The present plans to distribute these refugees and soldiers using Constantinople as a base is absolutely wrong where such numbers are under consideration and the ships are crowded like cattle ships with no accommodations for passengers. In many ships the people are standing crowded so they can barely move. Without complete knowledge of the countries I recommend that these Russians should be moved to some place on the north coast of Africa where they can be landed. I suggest if the Department deems it proper that our Government approach the French Government regarding the landing of these Russians in French territory on the north coast of Africa with the understanding that the American Red Cross would assist in providing immediate relief and that American vessels and other facilities would be used to assist in moving these Russians and later in distributing them according to a plan. It is impossible to depict in words the situation that exists in connection with these Russian refugees. It is estimated twenty to 300,000 [30,000?] more Russians are expected to arrive here.