File No. 867.00/643
[Enclosure]
The Vice Consul at Smyrna (Morris) to the Ambassador in
Turkey (Morgenthau)
American Consulate General,
Smyrna
,
August 8, 1914.
Sir: Following upon my telegram of the 4th
instant, I have the honor to report upon the local situation brought
about by the outbreak of war in Europe.
The immediate effect of the declaration of war by Germany was the
stoppage of almost all exportation and the cessation of cash
payments by the banks. Many people were caught unawares and to-day
people of wealth are unable to obtain enough money for daily living
expenses. Fortunately an exception was made by the banks in favor of
the consulates and up to the present United States Government drafts
are honored without question. From a business viewpoint the outbreak
of war at this time means heavy loss to Smyrna. The fruit
exportation was just about to commence. This fruit exportation is
the principal source of wealth to Smyrna, and its loss will have
disastrous consequences.
The closing of business houses has naturally thrown many persons out
of employment, particularly Turks of the hamal class, who, if left in idleness, might become a
serious problem for those charged with the peace and quiet of the
city. This would be particularly the case if a stringency in the
staple articles of food came about, a state of affairs which seems
far from improbable, However, the one good feature of the Turkish
mobilization is that it is absorbing a large percentage of this
class. Otherwise the order for a general call to arms has had a most
deplorable effect. Leaving aside the material losses, caused by the
requisitioning of horses, carts, and other military requisites and
the preemption by the army of all public service utilities, the
moral effect upon the population has been of the worst. This effect
is particularly pronounced amongst the foreigners, and especially
the large English colony. No one will believe for an instant that
this mobilization is not intended to end in an open declaration in
favor of Germany and Austria. The fact that
[Page 763]
the German officers of the mission did not
sail with the German reservists, strengthens this belief. The
entire, English colony is in a state of anxiety and fear, which has
a More or less sympathetic reaction upon the members of the American
colony. I feel that this state of mind is absolutely unjustified at
present. There is no hostility displayed towards any foreigners
to-day; the attitude of to-morrow will depend upon events. Every
day, almost every hour, the most alarming rumors spring from nowhere
and rush from Mouth to mouth, and are discussed with bated breath
until a new rumor claims attention. These rumors fabricated by
malicious minds naturally are keeping the people in a state
bordering on hysteria. Many people have left and more would go but
for the lack of steamers. The few traveling Americans caught here at
the beginning of this week have all managed to get boats for
southern European ports judging the situation as best I can, I am
convinced that so long as Turkey remains neutral, the foreign
population has nothing to fear here. But, as I tried to make clear
in my telegram of the 4th instant, if Turkey enters the conflict on
the side of Germany, the situation will suddenly contain elements of
the gravest danger to the entire Christian population. Therefore, I respectfully
reiterate my opinion, as expressed in my telegram of the 4th
instant, concerning the advisability of having a warship here. I am
pleased to learn that the Embassy has referred my request to the
Department, which I hope will see its way clear to act without
delay, Practically every member of the American colony has asked
that a warship be sent. I, in conjunction with the British Vice
Consul, have used my best efforts to convince the Anglo-American
colony that their present alarms are unjustified, not however with
much success. There is a tendency on the part of the lower-class
natives to disregard the various little acts of respectful
consideration which they usually show towards the chelibi, or
foreign employer. The officials also are showing a desire to
disregard the privileges enjoyed by the franks. Since last Sunday;
there have been several flagrant breaches of capitulatory rights,
which surely would not have occurred before the out-break of this
awful conflagration. Even though the intervention of the consulates
concerned was effective it is clear that the prestige of Europe has
been sadly diminished in the eyes of the Ottomans. The mobilization
and requisitioning of all sorts of supplies continues. The Governor
General yesterday attempted to seize all the coal of the Archipelago
American Steamship Company in consequence of the order prohibiting
the exportation of oil, petroleum, and coal from the country,
Without this coal the company’s steamers would have been left idle
in port. The Consulate managed to secure its release though with
some difficulty. There have been many cases of the authorities
entering upon foreign property and seizing horses, carriages, and
automobiles by force and giving no receipt for them. The English
residents have suffered most from this manner of action no cases of
Americans so far. In general the officials show a scant lack of
consideration towards foreigners. So far the price of foodstuffs has
not gone up, but flour will do so soon, and will probably be
followed by other staples.
Postal communication is most irregular and uncertain with
Constantinople, and has quite ceased with Europe. I will keep the
Embassy informed telegraphically and by despatches as the situation
develops here.
I have [etc.]
Leland B. Morris