711.672/311: Telegram
The High Commissioner in Turkey (Bristol) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:18 p.m.]
166. On August 7 I had a conference with Ismet lasting 5 hours and 45 minutes. I took up cases of Adamopoulos, Fisher,31 and McCarthy, and also the closing of Marash, Mersina and Tarsus schools. At the end of conference I handed Ismet memoranda of the most important cases pending and also the following aide-mémoire:32
Admiral Bristol has sought a personal interview with His Excellency Ismet Pasha, for the purpose of pointing out that his Government considers that the relations between the United States and Turkey have reached so unsatisfactory a state as to arouse serious anxiety as to the future.
A number of important matters affecting American interests, notably the Adamopoulos and McCarthy cases and the closing of the American schools at Marash and Tarsus, have been repeatedly brought to the attention of the Turkish Government. Throughout the representations which have been made the utmost patience and forbearance have been shown but on none of the matters in question have results been secured. The general situation as a whole, therefore, has steadily grown worse and Admiral Bristol has felt bound so to inform his Government. He is now in possession of instructions adapted to whatever developments the situation may take in [Page 736] the more immediate future. Admiral Bristol, however, is confident that the personal intervention of His Excellency Ismet Pasha will insure a prompt adjustment of the settlement of matters at present at issue between the United States and Turkey and that there will therefore be no need for taking measures other than an appeal to His Excellency Ismet Pasha’s sense of justice and to the watchful regard for Turkey’s international interests of which he has given proof on so many occasions. Admiral Bristol has been granted a months leave of absence by his Government, of which he proposes to avail himself immediately. He feels certain that upon his return he will have abundant proof that the confidence which he has reposed in His Excellency Ismet Pasha has not been misplaced and that the results hoped for will have been achieved.
Although the results of my conference with Ismet are not immediately apparent I hope that he has been led to see how serious is the present situation and that favorable action may be secured within the next few weeks by his personal intervention. I am leaving the office of delegate at Angora vacant for a short time to emphasize the idea that the period when I will be on leave from Constantinople is a period of probation during which we expect results.
On August 12 I will leave Constantinople for Venice.
I will mail full report of my conference.
- Edgar J. Fisher, professor at Robert College. The Turkish Director of Public Education had demanded his dismissal, under threat of closing the college, the reason given being alleged remarks made by him during a lecture on board a tourist ship. On representations by the High Commissioner and by the college authorities, Professor Fisher was reinstated in October 1924.↩
- Aide-mémoire not paraphrased.↩