767.68119P/37: Telegram
The Special Mission at Lausanne to the Secretary of State
[Received May 24—3:20 a.m.]
360. I have received two notes from Venizelos urging that I intervene with the Turkish delegates on grounds of humanity to try to secure permission for the return of Armenian and Greek former residents of Turkey to their homes in Anatolia. I did not commit myself but answered that I would consider his request fully and sympathetically.
In subcommittee meeting today satisfaction was given to the Greek point of view with respect to Greeks resident in Constantinople. The Turks insist, however, that with Turkish public opinion still hostile to the Armenians it would be disastrous to the Armenians themselves to allow them to return to Turkey for the present. The Turks hold that this condition will change in time. I doubt whether it is advisable for us to actively intervene.
Repeated to Athens and Constantinople.