867.4016/720: Telegram
The High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 5—3:25 a.m.]
301. I called a meeting of the Allied High Commissioners at the American Embassy this morning at which I presented them with the following memorandum:
“Reports have been received by the American High Commission to the effect that the Nationalist authorities are insisting upon the immediate departure of the Christian children in the orphanages of [Page 950] the Near East Relief. It has been for some time past the policy of the Near East Relief to remove the orphans in its charge from Anatolia, and permission for such present condition [action?] had been requested from the authorities at Angora. The mere granting of this permission, therefore, would not in itself be cause for uneasiness were it not for the fact that the authorities have plainly expressed their desire that the orphans should leave Anatolia immediately and should be accompanied by the Greek and Armenian employees of the Near East Relief. Finally, an unconfirmed report has been received from Samsoun that Greeks and Armenians must leave within 30 days or be deported. These several reports taken together appear to indicate an intention on the part of the Nationalist authorities to evacuate the entire Christian population of Eastern Anatolia. The serious consequences of the carrying out of any such policy require no lengthy description. Over a million persons may find themselves homeless and another and more appalling refugee problem thereby created.”
Both the French and Italian High Commissioners had received similar reports, the French High Commissioner stating however that his information was to the effect the aforesaid Nationalist order referred only to the Christian population in the coastal provinces. He stated that in one locality at least notices of expulsion had already been published to take effect November 1st. The Italian High Commissioner stated that his reports were that males from 18 to 45 years of age would be deported into the interior and that the rest of the population would be expelled. I suggested that the Allied High Commissioners draft a note of protest to the Angora Government in order to attempt to have this order cancelled or at least in some way to ameliorate the situation and I stated I would transmit a similar note. I requested the Allied High Commissioners to take under consideration means of transportation and localities to which refugees would proceed in case the order for expulsion was actually carried out.
This morning before above in this connection I saw Hamid Bey and presented to him strong representations against the expulsion of Christians from Anatolia. He hopes [promised to?] transmit my protest to Anatolia.