File No. 367.116/262
The Ambassador in Turkey (Morgenthau) to the Secretary of State
Constantinople, December 22, 1914, 9 p.m.
[Received December 25, 9:30 a.m.]
[Telegram]
197. Your 182. Your suggestion therein communicated to inland missions by Peet as letters have to be sent unsealed. I am writing Hollis to communicate it to Hoskins and Bliss and their nearby associates.
In August we communicated with all interior missionaries your suggestion for them to go to seaports.1 Their response was that they will not desert their people in time of stress and danger but desire to share with those for whom they have labored many years whatever new dangers the present situation may create. Peet informs me that all agree that present conditions are no worse than those that existed several times before.
All American missions and institutions are still in active operation and an abandonment by the managers would likely cause panic among the people and would jeopardize properties which would be left without protection and terminate most disastrously the splendid work achieved through ninety years of patient labor.
Offer of thirteen American hospitals for Red Cross purposes was so appreciatingly accepted by Turkish authorities that all missionaries connected therewith are now receiving special protection. Usher Hospital at Van has its full capacity utilized by sick and wounded soldiers. From Sivas Doctor, Clark and Ladies Graffensenger and Sewny have at the request of its military commander with approval of Sivas’ governor, at Government expense, gone to Erzerum Mission Hospital which due to present exigencies has been enlarged by transformation of two mission school buildings into hospitals. Sivas hospitals under direction of [American? ] physician running full capacity for needs of military. Missionaries at Bitlis are confident that they are safe. At Marash sense [Page 779] of security not so strong as elsewhere. The large hospital is used by military. College and other institutions are in full operation and about twelve Americans there prefer to remain. Harput institutions operating normally. No feeling of insecurity prevails. Am sending you these details to indicate conditions prevailing generally so that interested parties can be tranquilized.
American institutions everywhere except at Smyrna and Beirut are absolutely pursuing even tenor of their way and a general sense of security prevails. Most of the missionaries are the only foreign residents at their several locations and have the respect and protection of the local authorities. I have some fear about safety of the Canadian missionaries connected with American institutions. Secured special permission for Mrs. Thomson, English woman connected with Girls College, to leave tomorrow, and at same time exacted renewed assurances from Minister of the Interior that all English connected with American institutions will receive special consideration. Owing to constant vacillation of Turkish authorities, I shall advise all these English people to leave when permission can be secured.