„Former ambassador Morgenthau informs me that American Armenian and Syrian Relief Committee which has nothing to do with political questions wishes to see me for the purpose of asking our cooperation in a relief work. Morgenthau believes Your Excellency will welcome an opportunity for proclaiming our cooperation. I am doubtful about this because of consideration for Turkish Government. On the other hand such a declaration would very favorably impress American public opinion which in great measure makes us responsible for Armenian situation.
Please instruct me whether I may receive committee and what answer I may give. The letter will be published. Therefore desirable that Your Excellency send me exact words of my reply.“
Ich beabsichtige Graf v. Bernstorff zu antworten:
„We certainly should welcome every opportunity of cooperating in charity and relief work with America. The case of the Armenian Committee however is of such special nature as to hinder our efficient cooperation. We have approached the Ottoman Government and received the answer that the Ottoman Government must consider the question of Armenian relief from the standpoint of interior Turkish policy. The Turkish Government added that it is conscious of its obligation to bring all possible help to its Armenian subjects but that while fully recognizing the generous character of the offer the Turkish Government regrets to be for essential reasons of interior policy as matters stand unable to avail itself of foreign relief.
I leave it to Your Excellency to decide if you will receive committee or give this answer in writing.“
Bitte sofern Ew. Exzellenz keine Bedenken haben unter der Hand festzustellen und baldmöglichst zu drahten ob Pforte mit Antwort einverstanden.
Ich möchte deshalb vorschlagen, daß Graf v. Bernstorff Herrn Morgenthau unter Hinweis auf die diesem bekannten schwierigen Verhältnisse bei Behandlung der armenischen Frage ersucht, das Komitee von seinem Plane abzubringen, da durch den Empfang oder durch schriftliche Beantwortung des Gesuches der beabsichtigte Zweck keineswegs erreicht wird, vielmehr Gefahr besteht, daß auch die deutschen Bemühungen zur Linderung der Not der armenischen Bevölkerung unmöglich gemacht werden.