Armenian Genocide Documents

[Joseph]

http://chgs.umn.edu/educational/

[Joseph]

VERBATIM REPRODUCTION OF CERTAIN PASSAGES FROM THE BOOK
**** "THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND THE TRIAL OF THE YOUNG TURKS"
*
[ These represent part of the "Transcript of his Highness Patishah's Extraordinary Courts-Martial Convened by Imperial Authorization, on 8 March 1335 (1919); and published in the Ottoman Official Gazette, "Takvimi Vekayi", on 27 April 1335 (1919). #3540 ]
*
*
~ The documents at hand [with the Courts-Martial] corroborate that the Central Committee of the Teskilalti Mahsousa [Special Organization -*formed for the deportation of the Armenians] was at the same time made up of two distinct organizations, of which one operated in accordance with the inner rules and bylaws of the Party [Ittihad ve Terakki = Committee of Union and Progress (C.U.P.)], while the other operated underground, on the basis of secret orders. The evidence, which confirms the culpability of the above mentioned [Sait Halim,*Enver, Talat, Cemal, Ibrahim, Sukru, Halil, Ahmed Nesimi, Midhat Sukru, Kemal, Ziya Gokalp, Doctor Ruzuhi, Kucuk Talat - some members of the Supreme Council of the Parliament,*others members of the Central Committee of the*C.U.P. - also Behaeddin Sakir, Doctor Nazim and Riza - leaders of the Teskilati Mahsousa - as well as Azis Bey and Cevat Bey] influential leaders of the Committee, attests* that the*Committee, its true face, be charged with the crimes of violation of public order, profiteering and for the perpetration of a series of massacres.
*
~ Party leaders ... endeavored to exploit Europe's preoccupation with the*World War, and attempted by the use of terror and brute force, to solve issues and*questions that could have otherwise been resolved peacefully, with fair and sound judgment. ... To realize their secret objectives, they encouraged, during military operations, the activities of secret committees. Thus, by releasing criminals and convicts from prisons, they created Teskilati Mahsousa, which received its secret orders and instructions from a Special Committee created in Istanbul.
*
~ Enormous sums of money were distributed to the agents of Teskilati Mahsousa and, generally, in the regions of their operation [mainly in the Eastern*vilayets (ancestral lands of the Armenians)]. Doctor Behaeddin*Sakir transmitted the cipher keys to the leaders of Teskilati Mahsousa, and provided them with automobiles, large sums of monies and other necessary ammunitions. By these means he was able to put into effect the secret plans of the Ittihad ve Terakki [Committee of Union and Progress].
*
~ Armed with instructions from the higher-ups, a number of operatives of this organization [Teskilati Mahsousa] were sent to the different regions; and together with the regional Responsible Secretaries of the Ittihad ve*Terakki, and government officials, they began, under the pretext of carrying out the orders of the*Party, or in response to the coercions of certain people, to indiscriminately massacre and rob the people, to raze their properties and to torture them to death... While the flash pint of terror was aimed mainly at the Armenians, other peoples (withing the*Empire) and a great number of Turks suffered also. [Reference is perhaps to those Turkish officials who were either dismissed or executed for refusing to implement the deportations and massacres.]
*
~ The key finding of this investigation shows that the criminal acts that took place at various times and in various places, during the deportations of the Armenians, were not isolated, local incidents, but were premeditated and realized by the oral instructions and secret orders of the*<Special Center>, which was composed of the united power of the above-mentioned individuals.
*
*~*THE FOLLOWING IS THE CONCLUSION REACHED AFTER THE EXAMINATION OF THE DOCUMENTS, THE AFFIDAVITS, AND THE CREDIBLE TESTIMONIES.
*
*~ The nature of the Teskilati Mahsousa ... was, as the evidence clearly shows, especially secretive; and its real aim was to commit criminal acts. This secret network was led by Central Committee Members Doctor Nazim, Behaeddin Sakir, Atif,*Riza, and Aziz Bey. The headquarters of Behaeddin Sakir were in Erzurum [part of the Armenian Provinces], from where he directed the forces of the Eastern Vilayets.*Aziz, Atif and Nazim Beys*operated in Istanbul, and their decisions were approved and implemented by*Cevat Bey, the Military Governor of Istanbul.
*
*~ The torturing and massacres in Diyarbakir [a city in the interior far away from any war zone] took place at the instigation of the fugitive [at the time of the trials in Germany] Talat Bey. This is confirmed by the contents of a cipher-telegram sent to*Talat Bey from*Ali Suad Bey, the mutasarrif of Der Zor. Ihsan*Bey, Director of the*Special Office of the Interior Ministry, confirms that Abdulahad Nuri Bey, Kaymakam of Kilis, who had been sent from Istanbul to take office in Aleppo, had announced that: "The main reason for the deportations is annihilation (of the Armenians)"; and that he had gotten in touch with Talat*Bey regarding this matter, and that he had received direct orders for the massacres from him; and that he (Talat) had persuaded him that*this was the only way for the salvation of the country [...].
*~ In a September 15, 1331 (1915) cipher-telegram, sent by Resid to the Interior Ministry, it is mentioned that the number of Armenians being deported from Diyarbakir had reached 120,000 - which demonstrates the scope and meaning of the operation that had taken place.

[Joseph]

http://www.armenian-genocide.org/sampledocs.html

[HayerMiacek]

Report on the massacre of Armenians in Cilicia under French administration. March 7, 1920.

http://www.armenian-genocide.org/br-3-7-20.html

_____________________________________________

Decypher, Admiral de Robeck, (Constantinople),
March 7th, 1920.
D. 4.20. p.m. March 7th. 1920.
R. 5.45. p.m. March 8th. 1920.
No.200. (R).
_________________
Following for Mr. Aneurin Williams M.P. is transmitted at request of W.A. Kennedy. Message begins.

No. 5. Confirmation of news of Marash: 18,000 massacred in district: city burnt and without supplies and has not been relieved: 2,000 refugees have reached Adana: 13,000 women and children perished in snow-storm on way there: 8,000 Armenians still in Marash of whom many are wounded: Hadjia Zeitoun isolated: Adana, Tarsus not immediately threatened, but anxious and unsettled: no confidence of security in district. Message ends.

I submit any appearance of official confirmation of this message should be guarded against. We have no information other than that already telegraphed. French, as previously stated, are very reticent but take the line that loss of life is to be ascribed to casualties incident to hostilities and subsequent withdrawal rather than to massacre.

[HayerMiacek]

Report on the treatment of Armenian children in Trebizond. July 20, 1915.

http://www.armenian-genocide.org/us-7-20-15_1.html

___________________________________________

American Embassy,
Constantinople
July 20, 1915

The Honorable
The Secretary of State,
Washington.

Sir:-

Supplementing my despatch July 15, 1915, with reference to the Armenian Situation, I have the honor to enclose herewith copies, in duplicate, of a despatch on the same subject received from the American Consul at Trebizond.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(signed) [U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Henry] Morgenthau

Enclosure: copies in duplicate dated July 7th.1915.


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AMERICAN CONSULATE
TREBIZOND.
July 7, 1915.

Honorable Henry Morgenthau,
American Ambassador
Constantinople.

Sir:-

Referring to my despatches to the Embassy of June 28th, 30th and July 3rd regarding the deportation of the Armenians from Trebizond to the Interior via Gumashhane and my despatch of July 3rd to the Department, copy of which was sent to the Embassy, regarding the suicide of Cavass Ohannes I now desire to report that the Armenian population of Trebizond Vilayet is estimated at 36,000 persons. The city of Trebizond and surrounding villages is estimated at 10,000 Armenians. Of this later number 5200 have already been sent away. The children, when the parents so desired, were left behind and placed in large houses in different parts of the city. There are approximately three thousand such children retained in these houses called by the Turks "Orphanages"

Girls up to 15 years of age inclusive, and boys to 10 years of age inclusive are accepted; those over these ages are compelled to go with their parents. A number of Armenian women and young ladies are retained in these houses to look after the infants and children. The institutions are guarded by gendarmes and each institution has a Turkish Mudir or Director.

Dr. and Mrs. Crawford received about 300 children into their school from parents who were being sent away. Some of these children were very small and there were a few babies. In some cases the parents left money or jewelry to cover the expenses of the children, or for safe keeping. Of course this was all contrary to the proclamation on which had been posted by the government.

The Governor General sent words to Dr. Crawford that he would be required to give up the children as the authorities were prepared to take care of them but nevertheless left the children a few days until arrangements could be made for them then sent and took them all away. The authorities also called upon him to turn over all money and articles of any kind deposited by Armenians in contravention of the proclamation.

Very disquieting reports concerning the treatment of these people who have been sent away are current and if one half turn out to be true it will be shocking.

I have the honor to be Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Signed:- Oscar S. Heizer.
American Consul.

[HayerMiacek]

Report from a German missionary on the massacre of Armenians from Erzerum. July 31, 1915.

http://www.armenian-genocide.org/us-7-31-15.html

_____________________________________________

Telegram Received.
From Constantinople
Dated July 31, 1915
Recd. August 3, 10 AM.

Secretary of State,
Washington.

898, July 31, 5 p.m.

My 841 and 858. Doctor Lepsius, President of German-Orient Mission which maintains six Armenian orphan asylums in Turkey, has information from reliable source that Armenians, mostly women and children, deported from the Erzerum district, have been massacred near Kemakh between Erzinghan and Harput. Similar reports comes from other sources showing that but few of these unfortunate people will ever reach their stated destination. Their lot inexpressibly pitiable. The Doctor proposes to submit matter to International Red Cross for common action to try to induce Germany to demand cessation of these horrors. He earnestly requests access to information Embassy has on file. Will give him if department has no objection.

MORGENTHAU,
American Ambassador

[HayerMiacek]

Secretary of State Robert Lansing's response to news that Ottoman Turkey is pursuing a policy of genocide against the Armenians, July 16, 1915

http://www.armenian-genocide.org/us-7-16-15-2.html

_______________________________________________

Telegram Sent.

Department of State, Washington July 16, 1915

Am[erican]embassy,
Constantinople.

Your 841. July tenth. Department approves your procedure in pleading with Turkish Minister of Interior and Minister of War to stop Armenian persecution and in attempting to enlist sympathies of German and Austrian Ambassadors in this cause. The Department can offer no additional suggestions relative to this most difficult situation other than that you continue to act as in the past. Have any native born American citizens or any naturalized American citizens entitled to protection under American statutes received injuries during this trouble?

(signed) [Robert] Lansing

[HayerMiacek]

Report of Allied warning to the Ottoman government to stop the massacres of Armenians. May 29, 1915.

http://www.armenian-genocide.org/us-5-29-15.html

_____________________________________________

Telegram Sent.

Department of State,
Washington May 29, 1915

Am[erican]embassy,
Constantinople.

French Foreign Office requests following notice be given Turkish Government. Quote. May 24th. For about a month the Kurd and Turkish population of Armenia has been massacring Armenians with the connivance and often assistance of Ottoman authorities. Such massacres took place in middle April (?) at Erzerum, Dertchun, Eguine, Akn, Bitlis, Mouch, Sassoun, Zeitoun, and through Cilicia. Inhabitants of about one hundred villages near Van were all murdered. In that city Armenian quarter is besieged by Kurds. At the same time in Constantinople government ill treats inoffensive Armenian population. In view of these new crimes of Turkey against humanity and civilization the Allied governments announce publicly to the Sublime Porte that they will hold personally responsible these crimes all members of the Ottoman government and those of their agents who are implicated in such massacres. Unquote.

[HayerMiacek]

Report on the deportation of Armenians from Zeitun. July 21, 1915.

http://www.armenian-genocide.org/us-7-21-15_1.html

________________________________________

American Embassy,
Constantinople
July 21, 1915

The Honorable
The Secretary of State,
Washington.

Sir:-

I have the honor to transmit herewith two copies of a report received from the American Consul General at Beirut relative to what has been going on in the Zeitoon region of Asiatic Turkey.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(signed) [U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Henry] Morgenthau

Enclosure: Two copies dated June 20.


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Duplicate

A BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE PRESENT SITUATION OF THE
ARMENIAN EXILES IN THIS REGION, JUNE 20, 1915.

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The deportation began some six weeks ago, with 180 families from Zeitoon; since which time, all the inhabitants of that place and its neighboring villages have been deported: also most of the Christians in Albustan, many from Hadgin, Sis, Kars Pasar, Hassan Beyli and Deort Yol.

The numbers involved are approximately, to date, 26,500. Of these about 5,000 have been sent to the Konieh region, 5,500 are in Aleppo and surrounding towns and villages; and the remainder are in Der Zor, Racca, and various places in Mesopotamia, even as far as the neighborhood of Bagdad.

The process is still going on, and there is no telling how far it may be carried, the orders already issued will bring the number in this region up to 32,000, and there have been as yet none exiled from Aintab, and very few from Marash and Oorfah. The following is the text of the Government order covering the case. Art. 2nd. "The Commanders of the Army, of independent army corps and of divisions may, in case of military necessity and in case they suspect espionage or treason, send away, either or in mass, the inhabitants of villages and towns, and install them in other places."

The orders of Commanders may have been reasonably humane, but the execution of them has been for the most part unnecessarily harsh, and in many cases accompanied by horrible brutality to women and children, to the sick and the aged. Whole villages were deported at an hours notice, with no opportunity to prepare for the journey, not even in some cases to gather together the scattered members of the family, so that little children were left behind. At the mountain village of Geben the women were at the wash tub, and were compelled to leave their wet clothes in the water, and take the road barefooted and half clad just as they were. In some cases they were able to carry part of their scanty household furniture, or implements of agriculture, but for the most part they were neither to carry anything nor to sell it, even where there was time to do so.

In Hadgin well to do people, who had prepared food and bedding for the road, were obliged to leave it in the street, and afterward suffered greatly from hunger.

In many cases the men were (those of military age were nearly all in the army) bound tightly together with ropes or chains. Women with little children in their arms, or in the last days of pregnancy were driven along under the whip like cattle. Three different cases came under my knowledge where the woman was delivered on the road, and because her brutal driver hurried her along she died of hemorrhage. I also know of one case where the gendarme in charge was a humane man, and allowed the poor woman several hours rest and then procured a wagon for her to ride in. Some women became so completely worn out and hopeless that they left their infants beside the road. Many women and girls have been outraged. At one place the commander of the gendarmerie openly told the men to whom he consigned a large company, that they were at liberty to do what they choose with the women and girls.

As to subsistence, there has been a great difference in different places. In some places the Government has fed them, in some places it has permitted the inhabitants to feed them. In some places it has neither fed them nor permitted others to do so. There has been much hunger, thirst and sickness and some real starvation, and death.

These people are being scattered in small units, three or four families in a place, among a population of different race and religion, and speaking a different language. I speak of them as being composed of families, but four fifths of them are women and children, and what men there are are for the most part old or incompetent.

If a means is not found to aid them through the next few months, until they get established in their new surroundings, two thirds or three fourths of them will die of starvation and disease.

[HayerMiacek]

Report that Ottoman Turkey is seeking to exterminate the Armenian nation. July 16, 1915.

http://www.armenian-genocide.org/us-7-16-15.html

_____________________________________________

Telegram Received.

From Constantinople
Dated July 16, 1915
Recd. July 20, 8:10 AM.

Secretary of State,
Washington.

858, July 16, 1 p.m.
Have you received my 841? Deportation of and excesses against peaceful Armenians is increasing and from harrowing reports of eye witnesses it appears that a campaign of race extermination is in progress under a pretext of reprisal against rebellion.

Protests as well as threats are unavailing and probably incite the Ottoman government to more drastic measures as they are determined to disclaim responsibility for their absolute disregard of capitulations and I believe nothing short of actual force which obviously the United States are not in a position to exert would adequately meet the situation. Suggest you inform belligerent nations and mission boards of this.

AMERICAN AMBASSADOR [Henry Morgenthau],
Constantinople