861.48 Refugees 67/75
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Turkey (Grew)
Sir: Reference is made to the Embassy’s despatch No. 140 of January 17, 192871 reporting the decision of the Turkish Government to accord a twelve months’ delay, as from February 6, 1928, for the execution of the plan of evacuating the Russian refugees now in Constantinople.
In order that the Department may be in a position to reply to inquiries addressed to it by persons in the United States interested in certain of the above refugees, it is desired that you report promptly by telegraph, as in the past, any extension of the present time limit set [Page 985] by the Turkish Government for the evacuation of the Russians in question.
It would also be helpful if you would meanwhile advise the Department by mail despatch of the present number of Russian refugees in Constantinople awaiting evacuation and of the likelihood, if any, that refugees who are awaiting quota numbers as emigrants to the United States would be permitted to remain in Turkey beyond February 6, 1929 and until visas are available for them.
I am [etc.]