File No. 763.72/1305
The Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) to the Secretary of State
Constantinople, December 4, 1914, 4 p.m.
[Received December 13, 6 p. m]
[Telegram]
112. Your December 1, 10 p.m. As we are now entering most critical period, recommend leaving both ships here though Minister of the Interior and Minister of War assure me they intend to treat American institutions fairly. Methods employed by Minister of Public Instruction and chief of police [closing] schools, expelling monks, nuns, and teachers have convinced me that there is grave danger of their or provincial authorities misusing power in dealing with American institutions assumed under new written instructions affecting their rights among other things in regard to exemptions, tenure of property, opening of schools, complement, religious services, and providing strict supervision by Ottoman authorities practically in all branches of educational and charitable missionary work. Thus far German and Austrian Ambassadors have not been inclined to cooperate to have instructions modified or delay enforcement till after war, claiming that their few schools are not of sufficient importance to justify their antagonizing or aggravating Turkish [Page 776] officials or jeopardizing their rights under the capitulations. Austrian Ambassador frankly admits that there are no prospects of capitulations being reinstated. Austrian Ambassador said Minister of the Interior told him that they want no foreign schools at all in their country. Have arranged to meet Minister of the Interior and Minister of Public Instruction to follow up my demand that American institutions remain unmolested. Our consular agent at Dardanelles informs me that the Dardanelles are bombarded two or three times weekly. This report is confirmed by a foreigner arrived recently from there who states that some wounded Turkish soldiers have been brought from the forts after each bombardment. Cruisers Goeben and Hamildie [Hamidieh] have been injured and it is stated may be [disabled] for some time Should the English and French be able to force Dardanelles and Russians come through Bosphorus considerable excitement and possibly looting and even worse may result though some believe that the sight of defeat will subdue the Turks. Now frequently confer with Peet, Gates, Paulus, and Ravndal who are cooperating with me in Red Cross and other matters. I have succeeded in keeping all Americans reassured. Am not frightened but desire to explain actual conditions.