Office of the Historian

File No. 763.72/1162

The Minister in Persia (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State

American Legation,
Teheran, undated.
[Received November 3, 1914, 1 p.m.]

[Telegram]

Russian officers have seized Turkish and Austrian Consuls and archives at Tabriz and sent them to Russia. Germans are threatened and Consul was feloniously assaulted. Paddock has extended temporary refuge and protection to panic-stricken German Consul and subjects. Russians will arrest, expel, and perhaps deport all Germans. Wire instructions.

Caldwell

The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Persia (Caldwell)

[Telegram]

Department of State,
Washington , November 5, 1914, 10 p.m.

Your undated. The Legation should maintain the attitude of strictest neutrality in conformity with the proclamation issued by the President.

You will instruct the Consul at Tabriz that he should use the greatest care and discretion in extending protection to nationals other than American citizens.

Up to the present time the United States Government has not been requested to take charge of German or Austrian interests in Persia.

Lansing