868.48/281: Telegram
The Acting High Commissioner at Constantinople (Dolbeare) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:50 p.m.]
392. 1. In addition to persons carried on regular steamers about 10,000 non-paying refugees from Samsoun and other Black Sea ports have been transported to Constantinople and transferred to Greek vessels here. This work has been supervised by American destroyer commanders and Near East [Relief] has given food.
2. Estimates indicate three to five thousand per week will come in from interior during the next month to these ports. Public announcement has been made that time limit is removed and all Christians desiring to leave Anatolia may do so. Local officials in these ports cooperate satisfactorily with our officers.
3. Constantinople representative of Angora Government states to me that Angora Government will not allow Greek refugee ships to proceed to Black Sea ports if accompanied by American destroyers. After consulting Admiral Long25 I stated our vessels could accompany when advisable but not escort, with a view to furnish practical assistance but not protection and merely as extension of services now being rendered in and near ports of embarkation. Repeated to Lausanne.
- Rear Admiral Andrew T. Long, U. S. Navy.↩