868.48/553: Telegram
The High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 11—3:15 a.m.]
185. Referring to my telegram no. 146, June 4, 3 p.m.,31 and Department’s telegram no. 111, June 13, 2 p.m.,31 and 120, June 30, 9 p.m.32 There have been no general movements of refugees for the past two months. A few refugees able to pay their own way have arrived in Constantinople and likewise departed. The health conditions amongst refugees in Constantinople and Anatolia is much better. In Anatolia there is practically no sickness and there is no typhus nor smallpox here in Constantinople and the last week in June there were only 48 deaths. The number of refugees in Constantinople, on the Pontus coast and at Mersina is practically the same.
From Colonel Haskell direct I am informed that the Red Cross closed their operations on June 30th last, but had previously distributed rations to the refugees that would be sufficient in some cases for a month and other cases two months, while a very small amount of clothing and child-feeding supplies were left to be distributed by local authorities. Thus, though the Red Cross closed out in Greece, it has provided relief for a month or six weeks longer.
Information has just been received that ships have been sent to Mersina to take away all Greek refugees at that place and then the Near East Relief will close out all work at Mersina. A destroyer will be sent to assist in this evacuation.
[Page 353]In the Pontus area the Near East Relief is rendering the only relief for the refugees. In Constantinople the Near East Relief is giving the greater part of relief to the refugees, but a very important minor part is being carried on by the League of Nations assisted by funds appropriated from the All British Appeal Committee. If these relief activities are withdrawn from the Pontus and Constantinople, the refugees would undoubtedly perish of hunger and disease.
The sending of Greek vessels to evacuate the Greek refugees from Mersina is the beginning of the evacuation which it is hoped will continue to Constantinople and the Pontus. The Near East Relief should continue its feeding and relief work with these refugees but only on the understanding that the Greek Government will continue and complete the evacuation of the refugees and within a definitely limited time. The League of Nations has inaugurated a scheme for feeding camps and settlements in western Thrace by which refugees are being grouped in organized communities and engaged in productive labor. This is a constructive work which should be expanded. I recommend that pressure should be brought to bear on the Greek Government to extend this work and to evacuate the refugees now in Constantinople and the Pontus area as soon as possible and at the same time the Near East Relief should serve notice that they will close down all relief operations unless the Greek Government will adopt such a constructive policy and evacuate these refugees. …