867.4016/759: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Acting High Commissioner at Constantinople (Dolbeare)
Washington, November 29,
1922—6 p.m.
275. Your 360, November 26, 10 a.m.
- (1)
- On humanitarian grounds you may use your good offices to facilitate the granting of permission for Christians to depart from Anatolia if they so desire. Department believes that such permission should be given without reference to any specific time limit and that Turkish authorities should afford adequate protection to the Christians who may desire to remain in Anatolia,
- (2)
- As this Government was not a party to the Mudania armistice between Greece, Turkey and the Allies, it would not be appropriate for you to take the initiative in securing guarantee of immunity for Greek ships as requested by Greek High Commissioner. You may of course make clear to the Turks the necessity for proper protection of refugees, whether during evacuation or while remaining in the country,
- (3)
- Destroyers may appropriately assist during the evacuation of refugees in so far as this is consistent with instructions of the Navy Department.
- (4)
- Department approves your action in declining the request for the convoying of Greek ships.
Hughes