The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-11-01
United States Already Ask
ed to Take Over Affairs
of One Of Legations.
AMERICA WILL COMPLY
WITH ANY SUCH REQUEST.
French Ambassador Reports on
Critical State of Affairs at
Constantinople.
DISPATCH FROM MoRGENTHAu
Says Raid of Warships Made With
out knowledge of Turkish
Government.

WASHINGTON. October 31.-word
reached the State Department to-day
that diplomatic representatives of the
allies were making preparations to
leave Constantinople OHicinis de-
clincd to reveal the source of their
information. but it was understood that
the United States already has been
asked to take over the affairs of at
least one of the legations at the Turk
ish capital.
Acting Secretary Lansing declined
to state which OF the powers had ask
ed the United States to care for diplo-
matte interests at Constantinople, but
said the American government would,
of course, comply with any requests
of that character.
1nasmuch as Great Britain previous
~ had asked the United States to care
for her interests in Turkey in case of
emergency. 1t was believed to-day that
the nation referred to by officials was
France.
Ambassador Jusserand conferred
with Mr.. Lansing yesterday. Tho
French ambassador declined to discuss
his visit but II was thought day he .
conveyed information received by his
government at Bordeaux of the criti-
cal state OF affairs at Constantipople5
and the preparations being made by
foreign diplomatic representatives OF
the triple entente to leave Turkey. n
Although there still was n belief in
and Turkish commanders of the war;
party might have forced the situation
on the Grand Vizicr and his counsel-
ors. nothing was contained in Official
dispatches which could be construed
as supporting that theory K
Officials awaited further dispatches
with keen interest
| WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE
OF TURKISH GOVERNMENTS
The Turkish Minister of Finance ir-S
II - IL .N.,k
| Constantinople yesterday that the raid
OF Turkish warships on the Russian
seaports took place without the knows
! edge of the Ottoman government. and
presumably under the influence OF
German officers and crew. This inforSs
nation was conveyed In Il dispatch to-
day from Ambassador AIorgenthau to
the American government to-day.
Mr.. Morgcnthau added that the Rus
sian ambassador received instructions
lat 3 a. NJ. yesterday to demand his pass
ports, and made an effort to sec the
Grand vizer who pleaded illness and
did not receive him. The Russinn,
French and British ambassadors. nc
cording TO the Same dispatch are pre-
pairing to leave Constantinople together
tonight.
On receiving instructions to leave
! Constantinople, the Russian ambas-9
sador immediately placed the interests
OF Russia in the hands OF the Italian
| ambassador. ftla
Ambassador Morgenthaus dispatch
made no mention of any declaration of
war; of Internal conditions in
Turkey. He probably will take over
tho French and British embassies!
Ambassador Morgenthnu's dispatch
was filed at noon yesterday In cipher.
Tho fact that no mention was made
concerning missionaries led officials to
believe that Mr.. Morgenthau felt con-
fdent Americans throughout the OttoS
man empire would be safe.
NEWS OF PREPARATION
OCCASIONS NO SURPRISE
In diplomatic circles the news that
the ambassadors OF the triple entente
were preparing to leave Constantinople
was 10 surprise. Is
On the authority of n prominent
diplomat. it was said to-day that a.
Rustem Bey. the Turkish ambassadors.
had. when leaving Washington recent
ly. told friend that Turkey would
enter the war OH the side of Germany
within a month.
The campaign which Turkey. it is
said, expects to wage against the triple
entente is said By British officials to In 3
clude extensive operations in Egypt.
preparations to meet which, it also is
said. have been In progress for some
time by Great Britain. q