In 1916 he was appointed by Woodrow Wilson to be the United States Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in Constantinople. While there he also represented the interests of Great Britain, France, Italy, Russia, and Belgium which were then at war with the Ottomans.
In 1916, he was designated by Woodrow Wilson as the United States Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in Constantinople. During his time there, he also acted on behalf of Great Britain, France, Italy, Russia, and Belgium, who were at war with the Ottomans.