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  4. Document 782

123H35/57c

The Acting Secretary of State to the Secretary of the Navy (Daniels)

Washington, December 27, 1918.

Sir: In confirmation of a communication by telephone of December 12th, I have the honor to inform you that diplomatic relations between the United States and Turkey will not be renewed at present. Lewis Heck, Esquire, the Turkish Secretary of the American Embassy at Constantinople, however, has been instructed to return immediately to Constantinople, with rank of Commissioner.

The Department of State endorses the view expressed in Admiral Benson’s recent telegram1 that a station ship should be maintained at Constantinople and that a naval officer of rank should be sent there.

I have [etc.]

Frank L. Polk
  1. Not found in Department files.↩