867.4016/759: Telegram
The Acting High Commissioner at Constantinople (Dolbeare) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11 p.m.]
360. Greek High Commissioner has made following requests upon me: (1) to intervene with the Nationalist Government to secure extension of the time limit for departure of Christians; (2) to secure guarantees from Nationalist Government that Greek ships proceeding to evacuate refugees shall not be attacked but allowed to navigate freely in the Black Sea; (3) that an American destroyer be stationed in the Anatolian port to which a Greek ship is proceeding and act there as intermediary between ship and the Turkish authorities; (4) that American destroyers escort and protect Greek ships referred to above.
To question three, I have replied that for humanitarian reasons I will endeavor to keep destroyers in those ports where Greek ships are expected to arrive to evacuate refugees and that the destroyers’ commanders will act as intermediaries between local Turkish officials and guarantee ship [Greek ships?] to secure permission for the latter to enter and will assist in the actual work of evacuation but that I will not assume the responsibility for breach of faith on the part of Turkish officials. To question four, I replied in the negative. To questions one and two, I have replied that I would have to request instructions from my Government.
Latest reports of our destroyers Anatolian ports indicate arrival of considerable numbers of refugees from interior. Approximately 8,000 already at Mersina and equal number at Samsun. If it has not already arisen therefore a situation may arise in immediate future where our assistance in work of evacuation may be imperative on purely humanitarian grounds. It is true that an injudicious or premature compliance with the Greek High Commissioner’s first and second requests might be considered inconsistent with previous representations to Turks against evacuation of Christians from Anatolia and might even be used by the Turkish Government as an excuse for hastening such evacuation. The Department should bear in mind, however, that in spite of our representations the evacuation is becoming more of a fait accompli every day and it is not likely that any action taken at Lausanne will alter situation at least so far as Anatolia is concerned. I do not believe we should refuse our help in a situation which is rapidly assuming many of the characteristics of a relief problem pure and simple and I request authorization therefore to comply with Greek High Commissioner’s first and second requests [Page 965] at such opportune time and through such informal channels as local conditions may suggest.