367.1164 Brusa School Trial/4: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (Grew)

[Paraphrase]

9. Your 8, January 31, 3 p.m. With a view to the control and mitigation of Turkish action on the Brusa school question, the Department considers that at least there should be maintained with the appropriate Turkish authorities an official and friendly contact. As you are naturally in touch with Mr. Goodsell and other representatives of the American Board, it is suggested that you discuss [Page 966] with them the advisability of a representative at once being sent by them to Angora in order to see what can be done. An informal conversation by you with Prime Minister Ismet Pasha or Foreign Minister Tewfik Rushdy Bey or both might even be desirable. In today’s press there are accounts of the Brusa school’s closure because of alleged religious propaganda, and publicity now on this particular issue can only bring unfortunate results.

The handling of this matter is, of course, left by the Department to your discretion, you alone being able to judge the many elements involved in it. Accordingly, the preceding paragraph, in the nature of a suggestion, is not to be taken as in any way an instruction.

Kellogg