868.48/578: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the High Commissioner at Constantinople (Bristol)
147. Your telegrams 204 and 205 of August 6.
As indicated in our telegram 145 of August 4,44 the Department has instructed our Chargé in Greece to make representations with respect to removal to Greece of the refugees in question.
When the American Red Cross last March announced that it would soon withdraw its relief work in Greece, the Near East Relief indicated a similar wish to end its operations in behalf of adult refugees as soon as feasible. That organization felt that it had assumed a definite commitment with respect to orphans in its care and that it did not have financial resources sufficient to continue indefinitely both general adult relief work and the care of the orphans. The Department briefly indicated this in its note of March 31. The Near East Relief has since then emphasized the urgency of ending at an early date its relief work for adults.
The Department feels that in view of the conclusion of peace it is difficult to urge the Near East Relief to continue work in behalf of adults. It would be even more difficult to bring the work to an end in winter if the operations were continued through the summer. There seems to be no substantial reason why Greece and Turkey should not make arrangements for the proper care and disposition of these refugees. The only hope, however, of obtaining vigorous action by these countries lies in definitely placing the responsibility upon them. As long as there is any hope that feeding operations will be carried on by American charity both Greece and Turkey would without doubt delay a settlement.
The Department is bringing to the attention of the Near East Relief a paraphrase of your telegram 205 of August 6.
Repeat as our 49 to Athens and submit any additional comments.