Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1919, Volume II

867.48/1119

The Counselor of the British Embassy (Barclay) to the Assistant Secretary of State (Phillips)

Washington, December 19, 1918.

No. 1396

My Dear Mr. Phillips: On December 10th Mr. Chilton¹² handed to Mr. Jones¹³ a copy of a telegram from His Majesty’s Representative at Constantinople to the Foreign Office dated December 5th embodying a message from Dr. Gates to the Department of State.¹⁴ I have now received a further telegram from Constantinople through the Foreign Office stating that Dr. Gates asks that the following may be transmitted to the State Department:

“When will the Belief Expedition fitting out for Turkey sail? Greatest need of haste.

“Conditions here are becoming desperate. Turkish currency much depreciated. Expedition should bring gold and as much coal as possible.”

Believe me [etc.]

Colville Barclay

12. Henry G. Chilton, Secretary of the British Embassy.
13. Russell C. Jones, of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of State.
14. Not printed.