767.68/320: Telegram
The High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 6:20 p.m.]
182. My 181, September 14, noon. Following from Smyrna:
“Fire started 1 p.m. 13th in Armenian quarter, European section town almost completely destroyed, Consulate completely destroyed. Codes, funds and important documents saved. Consul searching for temporary quarters. Fire still raging, all American-born accounted for, 10 at Paradise with American and Turkish guard, 14 naturalized Americans missing. All men-of-war in harbor loaded with refugees. Edsall sailed 8 a.m. for Salonika with 600, Winona sailed 4 p.m. today for Piraeus carrying about 400 refugees consisting of scholars, employees and attendants of American benevolent, business and consular organizations. Upon return Edsall propose send Litchfield Constantinople. Signed Hepburn.”11
- Capt. A. J. Hepburn, senior U. S. naval officer at Symrna.↩