File No. 867.4016/299
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Germany (Grew)1
3535. Reports for many months past from official and other reliable sources show that the systematic deportation of the Armenian population in Turkey continues; that their terrible sufferings at the hands of the Turkish authorities are unmitigated; that thousands have died as result of cruelties, massacres, and starvation; and that it would appear that these awful conditions are the result of a studied intention on the part of the Ottoman Government to annihilate a Christian race. The true facts, if publicly known, would shock the whole civilized world.
Inasmuch as the United States Government is aware that the German Government shares its views with regard to relief for the Armenians, as is shown by the fact that the German Ambassador at Washington on October 8, 1915, informed the Department that the German Government had protested to the Turkish Government against the treatment of the Armenians, the United States Government feels that it can confidentially appeal to the German Government for its assistance in securing an amelioration of existing conditions in the country of its ally.
You may communicate the foregoing to the Minister for Foreign Affairs with the expressed hope of this Government that favorable consideration and action will be given it.
- Substance communicated to the Ambassador in Turkey by telegram No. 3081, November 3, 1916.↩