WEBVTT

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Telegram.
14 (27) June 1914, Mytilene

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Time: 16:10
Very Urgent

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To: Athens

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Last night, the French Consulate representative
arrived in Smyrna: M. Belhomme,

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instructed to verify the situation
of Christians in Asia Minor.

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He was accompanied by Messrs Edward Whittal,
Albert Vitel, and others. STOP

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The passengers of a French merchant ship
chartered by them,

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as they were passing in front of Old Phocaea,

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were met by a yawl filled with refugees

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who begged them to go save the Christians
who were being slain in Old Phocaea. STOP

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They immediately went
and M. Belhomme saw nine dead

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two of which were women,

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a lot of wounded, burnt-down houses and shops.

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He calculated that the dead reach up to fifty.
STOP.

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They received six hundred refugees on board

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and towed behind them another sailboat
filled with refugees,

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fifteen of which were injured.
STOP

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Belhomme was horrified by the Turkish atrocities

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and added he would be telegraphing
his own government. STOP

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The Deputy Consuls of England and America
arrived yesterday in Smyrna by Egyptian boat,

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Today, an Italian warship left.

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to examine the situation
and verify the events. STOP

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Once the French ship had returned,

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the Deputy Consuls met with Belhomme and Whittal

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who reported in detail the killings,
the injuries, and the looting in Old Phocaea.

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They kept notes
and expressed a desire to travel to Phocaea

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to apprehend the situation themselves.
STOP

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Here, they visited churches and schools
filled with refugees

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they visited the hospital,

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they saw the wounded and the dead bodies
of two children killed by gunshot

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as they were fleeing last night on a boat.

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They kept detailed notes.

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Their impressions were very vivid.
STOP

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Everyone embarked on the French ship
at 5 o’clock in the morning

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to visit the area and verify the events.
STOP

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Returning to Smyrna they came here
to cross-check more thoroughly. STOP

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Last night in Polichnitos
I was told by telephone

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that a Turkish warship was seen nearby.

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And today, the harbourmaster of Chios
has announced that, at 10am

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a Turkish destroyer passed outside the port of Chios.

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Governor General,
Petychakis