861.48/1287: Telegram

The High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) to the Secretary of State

605. Up to the present time information confirms the arrival in Constantinople total 110 Russian ships all classes with 139,200 refugees of which 110,000 are troops including 6,000 wounded. Remaining refugees are civilians. Many refugees are escaping from ships and Constantinople is becoming congested with them; 20,000 troops have been sent to Lemnos, 10,000 to Gallipoli and refugee camp is being established at San Stefano for several thousand. About 2,000 civilians were sent on American steamer Eastern Victor and on destroyer Chandler to Cattaro. Notwithstanding these measures for disposition of refugees, the ships in the harbor are terribly congested and the feeding arrangements and the sanitary conditions are very bad. With small amounts of naval rations available every assistance is being rendered to refugees and American citizens together with officers and men of naval vessels are contributing liberally but these means without other funds exceedingly little and can only ameliorate conditions of this disaster.

Bristol