PREFACE

This is the second book compiled of documents from the Turkish Military History Archives showing the hostility provoked by the Armenian militants and the atrocities committed by them toward the Ottoman State and the Turkish Moslems of Anatolia during the First World War years. The facsimiles of the original documents in the old Turkish script together with their modern Turkish transcriptions in Latin alphabet were published in the periodical "Military History Documents" No. 8311983 by the Military History and Strategic Studies Department of the Turkish General Staff. The English translation of the Documents is presented to enlighten the world public opinion on the real nature of the historic facts and to encourage research activities in this field.

Necati Ozkaner

In other words, the purpose of publishing these documents is not to revive the hatred and enmity continuously fanned today by distorting the past but to demonstrate in an unbiased way the baselessness of the genocide allegations. Documents published herein again reveal in a catalogue the Armenian atrocities and massacres perpetrated on Turkish people during the First World War years. The documents also very explicitly demonstrate the just and fair treatment accorded by the Ottoman Administration to all citizens. irrespective of their religion, race, sect or any other consideration.

We hope that this book, by exhibiting the realities will bring common sense to the issue and help eliminate distortion of the facts.

Necati OZKANER
Director General of Press and Information

DOCUMENT NO: 1893 (89)

 
Decoded Message from Mustafa Bey, Governor of Bitlis
Dated 5 September 330 (18 September 1914):

Recent decision and instigations of Armenian strategists envisage the following moves: To preserve their loyalty in peace to the Administration pending the declaration of war. If war is declared Armenian soldiers in the Ottoman Army will take shelter on the enemy side with their arms. If the Ottoman Army advances. to remain inactive, if the Ottoman Army retreats, to form armed bands and hinder transport and communications. The above information based on documentary evidence was filed from Provincial authority of Mus.

Section 216 (19)

Info. noted and filed to Section 1 for action

Director Section 2
A. Muhtar

Archive No : 4/3671
Cabin No : 163
Drawer No : 1
File No : 2811
Section No : 26
Index No : 28

DOCUMENT NO: 1895 (91)

SECRET
No : 87

Horasan
24/25 September 330
(7/8 October 1914)

TO: THIRD ARMY COMMAND -- ERZURUM

Ahmet who was dispatched to Russia had to return tonight at seven o'clock as he came across with the patrol from Mecingred. Related to issues requested in the coded message of your high command dated 14 September 330 (27 September 1914) the following information is submitted herewith:

1. A part of a map is submitted in enclosure.

2. Information on the military position in Russia:

In Hendere there are some three thousand Saltats (Russian Soldiers) together with eight mobile artillery guns and ammunition. The guns are in Heridere. A number of soldiers with two guns and some ammunition is in Serbasan village. In upper Mecingred there are some 200 Saltat and around 70 or 80 Cossack soldiers. Soldiers also exist in Karaurgan, their number, however is unknown. In Sarikamis there are some 3000 soldiers, out of which some 800 are Cossacks and the remainder are Saltats. There are over 30 mobile artillery guns drawn by three double-horse units each. In Kosakilise there are about 200 soldiers. The number of soldiers in the Revan direction is unclear, some soldiers in this region and in the Gumru region have been sent to the German border, the sources said. The informant said his friend. Arshak had been to Kars and observed ditches dug around Kars, wide enough for people to move in about and with the tops covered. They have also laid rails in parts of Kars, using trains for transport. The number of workers employed in digging the ditches exceeds forty thousand daily, while, the number of soldiers in Kars is around 15,000 out of which some three thousand are regulars and the remainder reserves. Reserves are equipped with bolted rifles. There are also some two thousand Cossacks with Mauser-type rifles. In Karakurt there are 300 Cossacks and 750 reservists with four artillery guns. The Commander of Caucasia is the same, name unknown, Commander of Kars is Zivemn and Commander of Sarikamis is Bratov. A new commander is expected from Russia, the informant learnt. Armenians in Russia are registering as volunteers to join the war, arms and bread to be supplied by Russia and horses and clothing by themselves. Leaders for drafting volunteers are Aramalis from Papsin of Bitlis in Sarikamis and an Armenian named Antranik in Kars. Antranik had reportedly proceeded to Tiflis to conscript volunteers from among the Christians there, after conscripting a number of volunteers from Kars. All Armenians in Russia will join the volunteers. Russia promised to allocate some of the lands to be captured from the Ottomans to them. Arshak, friend of the informant was was taken by force to Kan by volunteers to join them.

Third Regional Commander

(Signature)

Archive No : 4/3671
Cabin No : 163
Drawer No : 2
File No : 2818
Section No : 59
Index No : 2-15

Coded Message No: 319 Dated 7 October 330 (20 October 1914) from Amad Border Battalion in Eleskirt to the 9th Army Corps.:

1. The great majority being from Armenians of our land and army deserters, over 8000 Armenians gathered in Kagizman.

2. Their formation is some sort of guerilla band. They are armed by the government and their needs are supplied by the people on the basis of war commitments.

3. Kosti from Karakilise, Aramis from Central Eleskirt and lpik from Bacli village of Eleskirt are the leaders of the gangs.

4. Ten more Plaston companies arrived in Kagizman in the last four days. Total forces in Kagizrnan are estimated at 15,000.- This information was furnished by a reliable Moslem from Kagizman through a special messenger.

Battalion Commander
Hakki

Certified true copy
Seal, 9th Army Corps
Staff Section
9 October 1330 (22 October 1914)

Archive No : 4/3671
Cabin No : 163
Drawer No : 2
File No : 2818
Section No : 59
Index No : 2-39

DOCUMENT NO: 1898 (94)

Provincial Authority
Erzurum
Correspondence Section

No: General : 27285
Special : 658

Hour: 10.5

TO: THE THIRD ARMY COMMAND

Dear Sir,

Further to our letter No: 271441540 of 11 October 1330 (24 October 1914).

One of the armed bands which raided the mail was captured in the vicinity of Of. Also captured were Agop, son of Keshis and Agop son of Ohannes, both from the Araksa village of lspir and Yumra, Sihak from Pulur of Bayburt and Ohannes from Rüstü village, according to information from the District Governor of Bayburt.

We are awaiting your orders in this regard.
15 October 1330 (28 October 1914)

Governor a.i. of Erzurum
Cernal

Section 3 15/16 (28129)
Document No: 2121

File (16129)
Nuri

Archive No : 4/3671
Cabin No : 163
Drawer No : 2
File No : 2820
Section No : 69
Index No : 1-9

DOCUMENT NO: 1900 (96)

". . . . . Erzincan
27/28 October 330
(9/10 November 1914)

THIRD ARMY COMMUNICATIONS ZONE INSPECTORATE
Staff Section
Branch : 1
3838
TO: THE THIRD ARM COMMAND ERZURUM

Summary: Some of the persons who raided the Erzurum mail confessed their crime, while some others are likely to be found guilty upon their investigation; however, the seized money was not recovered.

From persons who raided the Erzurum Mail, Strak from lzaska Village of Yumra subdistrict, enlisted man at Third Construction Battalion of Bayburd, AWOL and concurrently under custody at Gümüshane; Sükrü from Sarasor Village of Akcaabad, enlisted man at the 1st Bn. 12th Reg. lXth Corps, AWOL and concurrently under custody at the provincial centre have confessed their crimes. Although Strak has denounced Agop, son of Artin and Osbek son of Sisman from lzaska village (both AWOL and under custody in Bayburd) for being involved in the raid, and Sükrü denounced Süleyman, son of Faik from Yanika village of Macka district of also being involved, investigations proved Süleyman innocent and he was released.

Further Agop, son of Malkon and Ohannes, son of Sacan from Rahanoglu family from lzaska village, both AWOL and concurrently under custody at the provincial centre, are likely to be found guilty upon investigation. The seized money could not be recovered. Investigation running. Based on the statement of Fixed Gendarmerie Regiment Command.

Third Army Communications Zone
Acting lspector
(Colonel)
(Signature)

Section 3: 7 (20) dated
File. 7/8 Dated (20/21 )
Nuri

Archive No : 4/3671
Cabin No : 163
Drawer No : 2
File No : 2820
Section No : 69
Index No : 1-14

 
SUBLIME PORTE
(Ottoman Government)
Ministry of Interior
General Directorate of Security

SECRET

No: General . . . . .
Special 2086 (Correspondence)

DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE OF GENERAL HEADQUARTERS

1. Reliable sources reported irregular communication of the Istanbul Armenian Patriarchate with the Etchmiadzin Catholicos through the Italian Embassy. Requested to conduct extensive and secret investigation on the method of this communication which is likely to facilitate and effect transmitting of our most important secrets and our military position to Russia.

2. Despite the censorship of correspondence and communication with foreign countries, Armenians have been reportedly carrying on external communications in transit, and also passing out information under coded words and sentences of which the meanings are known only to themselves, this being a very useful way of communicating on their part. Requested that all concerned are instructed to take necessary measures related to cables of this nature. 18 January 1330 (31 January 1915).

Director General for Security
Ismail
Abdullah

Section 2: 5900
18 January 1330 (31 January 1915)
Branch 2/18 (31) dated

Archive No : 1/2
Cabin No : 113
Drawer No : 3
File No : 521
Section No : 2029
Index No : 2

Holdwater: The Catholicos of Etchmiadzin had already pledged his support to the Czar in the summer of 1914, with the terrorist Armen Garo as his agent. The Patriarch, Zaven, was certainly in cahoots.

DOCUMENT NO: 1903 (99)

(The following lengthy report has already been featured on TAT; the translation below is much better.)

OFFICE OF THE ACTING SUPREME COMMAND OTTOMAN ARMY
Section
No:

Continued from Format One (Last Part)

The moment for Turkey's collapse is fast approaching, it is being declared everywhere. Parliament Member Papasian and Viremian came to Erzurum, bringing along with them the conclusions of the general congress held in Istanbul, to proceed with their arrangements. An assembly was held in Erzurum with the participation of the Dashnak delegates arriving from the Caucasus.

The form of understanding reached with the Russians regarding promises that Armenians will be given independence in territories to be annexed from Ottoman land was discussed at the Erzurum meeting. The Congress approved the Russian-Armenian agreements and resolved the following in summary, to be transmitted to the committees:

1. To preserve loyalty in tranquility pending the declaration of war. but to carry on with the preparations for arming with weapons being brought from Russia and others to be obtained locally.

2. If war is declared Armenian soldiers in the Ottoman Army will join the Russian army with their arms.

3. If the Ottoman Army advances to remain calm.

4. Should the Ottoman army then retreat or come to a standstill position, to form armed guerilla bands and begin programmed operations behind army lines.

Following the dissolution of the congress, after taking its resolutions, Parliament Member Viremian visited the Governor of Erzurum and proposed the following:

"Should the Ottoman Government declare war on Russia and attack Caucasia, the Ottoman Government must make a concrete promise on the establishment of Armenia, in order to propagate the arrangement for cooperation of the Armenians there with the Turks."

This approach of Viremian to the Governor of Erzurum after signing the above four-article resolution of the Congress, had two particular purposes:

1. If the Ottoman Army ends the war victorious to continue preserving national aspirations.

2. To mislead the Ottoman Government and thus protect and conceal the secret Armenian Organisation against any search or investigation. After setting their affairs in Erzurum as explained above, Viremian and Papasian, accompanied by some of the leading Dashnak Committee leaders, proceeded to Canakkale Monastery, assembled the Armenian people of the region and conveyed the Congress resolutions. Papasian stayed in Mus to lead the activities there and Viremian proceeded to Van accompanied by his friends.

The Third Army was informed about these developments. The Governor and subordinate commanders were instructed to be vigilant.

Information reaching the Third Army on the arrangements by Armenians in Russia and in Turkey until war was declared follows:

1. Moslem dwellings in towns and villages East of the border in Russia were being searched, all weapons confiscated and issued to Armenians.

2. A huge amount of arms and ammunition was being stored at Oltu, Sarikamis, Kagizman and Igdir regions to be used in arming Armenians West of the border, in Turkey, with those living in towns and villages close to the border in particular. The son of Russian General Loris Melikov, accompanied by Melkon and Ohannes, both leading Dashnak figures, proceeded to Van on 27 September 330 (10 Oct. 1914) through Abaga to decide on the future arrangements and the weapons to be distributed in the Van and Bitlis regions.

3. Russian consuls in Iran, after promises that an Armenian will be established in territories to be annexed from Ottoman land, have reportedly armed Iranian Armenians, with those of Rumiye and Salhas in particular, and deployed them over the border.

4. A group of Dashnak Committee leaders of Caucasia and in Turkey have been organising Armenian guerilla bands in the border region as follows:

a. Six thousand Armenians, comprising mostly Armenians from Pasinler, Erzurum, Eleskirt. Hinis and Malazgirt and army deserters, have assembled in Kagizman, to be armed by Russians and their rations to be supplied from the people under war commitment arrangements with the help of Russian civil servants and Armenian leaders. 3500 of these were sent to Iranian Azerbaidjan on 18 October 330 (31 October 1914), while the rest are in Kagizman.

b. According to reliable information, a 1500 strong cavary band was formed from Armenians fleeing from Oltu, Kars, Sarikamis and Trabzon, 1000 of which proceeded to Igdir to be deployed in the Bayezid region, while the 500 were sent to Oltu for proceeding to Hodicor.

c. The major part being Armenians of Bayezid. Van and Bitlis and army deserters, and Armenians of lgdir, some 6000 Armenians assembled in Igdlr and were organised in guerilla groups and armed, according to soldiers from Russian border companies who sought refuge and other sources.

d. Armenian guerilla bands are being organised at Biyecek Church in Koni direction of Maku and bands established at Salhas prepare to proceed tu Van.

5. The leading organiser for Kars, Sarlkamis and Bayburd regions are well-known, Antranik, Ershan from Bayburd and Aram from Bitlis, organisers for the lgdir region are Pharmacist Rupen Migirdician from Ercis, Portakalian, and Surpin, Dashnak delegate from Bayezid.

6. Intelligence bureaus have been established in each of the towns of Trabzon, Erzurum, Mus, Bitlis, Van and, in the rear, Sivas and Kayseri, to inform the Russian Army on the position, movements and operations of the Turkish Army.

7. Of the firearms and ammunition smuggled from the border, the surplus has been stored at Karahisar, Sivas and Kayseri.

8. An Executive Board has been established in Batum comprised of Russian, Armenian and Greek members, to facilitate the import of arms, ammunition and explosives into Turkey, to provoke rebellion in the Black Sea region under Turkish control, utilising the services of Armenians and Greeks there and for intelligence on the Turkish Army for the Russians. The following information is from the files of the Third Army on the attitude and moves of Armenians on Turkish territories up to the declaration of war with Russia:

1. From Armenians with conscription obligations those in towns and villages East of the Hopa-Erzurum-Hinis-Van line did not comply with the call to enlist but have proceeded East to the border to join the organisation in Russia.

2. The Third Reserve Cavalry Division proceeded to its assembly in point of the Yagan lsigi - Yanan Koprijkoy area and a great number of Russian weapons were uncovered in the houses of Ovanis, son of Manuk at Koprukoy and of Papas at Yagan. In Hasankale. Russian weapons were uncovered in various houses, and the perpetrators were court-mantialled As its seems, the first stage of the Congress Resolutions is being implemented

3. Strak, son of Eksi from lzaksa village of Yumra, with a 25-man group led by the son of Aralik, murdered Moslems who happened to be in the solitary places of Hodicor and also raided the Trabzon-Erzurum mail cart near Gumushane, murdering the cart driver and seizing the mail and escaping. Several of his accomplices were captured and prosecuted before a courtmartial, and it become clear that they are members of the band which came to Oltu.

4. Russian outposts opposite our border posts at Hehas. Kotek, Pasin Kara Kilisesi, Gurcu Bulak and further to the south are being replaced by Armenian guerilla patrols. The raid by a 20 strong cavalry troop led by Kegork from,Malatya, who deserted from the Pasin Kara Kilisesi Border Battalion with his weapon, the abortive attack by Armenian gangs on the Kotek Border Battalion from Gurcubulak direction, the raids by 500-strong Armenian gangs led by Pharmacist Rupen and Surpin from Bayerid around Moson, made it clear that they were all aimed at initiating Ottoman-Russian hostility and that the Armenians were to serve as the vanguards of the Russian Army.

5. Some Armenian soldiers in our units, particularly those in units in the border regions, have fled to Russia with their weapons.

6. Moslem soldiers on sick leave in their villages which happened to be around Armenian villages have been murdered. In this way. Third Lieutenant Sabri from the Artillery Battalion of the Lazistan Regional Command was brutally murdered and his corps was dismembered and buried in the garden of his house by his Armenian landlord Bedros at Hosmasa village. The murderer resisted the gendarmerie detachment which went to the village to arrest him and after losing hope of escaping, he committed suicide. It was not possible to uncover the accomplices.

This and many similar individual cases are reported every day.

Judging from the above mentioned preparations and plans, it was acknowledged by the Third Army that a rebellion was being plotted. In fact, plans for a rebellion were under way in suitable regions and arms, ammunition and explosives were being stored for future use. As it will be explained below, the principal centres for the rebellion were, among the Eastern provinces, Van, Bitlis, Erzurum, Karahisar and to a secondary degree Sivas, Kayseri and Diyarbakir. As it became evident from the confessions of Armenians before courtmartial in Sivas later on, the Armenians had already designated general inspectorates, war commanders, and guerilla leaders and had ordered the registration of all males above 13 years of age at the Dashnak branches who would consequently be armed according to the same orders.

A look at the principal centres for rebellion shows that locations on the supply line were selected. As a matter of fact, with the proclamation of mobilisation, the Ottoman Government annexed the majority of the gendarmerie forces to the mobile army and the Kurdish region was left to the jurisdiction of the second grade gendarmerie. It was therefore assumed that, the rebellion would necessitate the deployment of part of the forces to the region of the Kurds, putting the army in a very difficult position.

When conflicts arose between Turkey and Russia, it was observed that units of the Russian army started aggression on the border. A Plaston brigade from the Russian army along with the First Cossack Cavalry Division was sent to the Id, Kotek. Pasin Kara Kilisesi and Bayezid direction in support of the Armenians which were also reinforced by machine guns and artillery. All properties in Moslem villages were plundered by these passing gangs, all Moslems including babies in the cradle were massacred. Hearing of these atrocities and inhuman acts of Armenian gangs, inhabitants of other villages in the areas were escaping, leaving behind women and children. In a short time, Erzurum. Van and Bitlis became centres of misery. In fact, the Moslem youths in these regions were conscripted for military service, leaving behind only aged, women, children and disabled who fell victim to the Armenian cruelties and atrocities or to poverty.

The Armenian atrocities reported by the Eleventh Army Corps will be noted. The Second Section could not find the Report. Sadik Bey has the draft report of the Third Army. The list of the Refugee Committee will be added to this.

The position of the Ottoman Army in the Caucasian Front on the date of declaration of war:

Units attached to the Third Army: The Ninth, Eleventh Army Corps and the 13th. Army Corps to arrive from Baghdad. First, Second Third and the Fourth Reserve Cavalry divisions, the Second Regular Cavalry Division and Van and Erzurum Gendarmerie Divisions to be established. Those units which had completed their mobilisation supplies, could not all reach the assembly zone. These units included in the Table of organisation of the Third Army, as it will be seen on the attached No. 1 sketch, were either on the move or in the Erzurum area.

Ten days before the declaration of war, upon orders from the Acting Supreme Command, winter regions were allocated for the units proceeding to the assembly zones, and the units arriving were on their way to their settlement points. Accordingly, the political decision of the Government was not yet certain. The Third Army, believing that a winter war would not be desirable, obliged Moslem people in the border region who anticipated migrating to remain in their homes.

This was the position of the Third Army during the above mentioned horrible Russian operation for bringing the evils of war to Turkish land. The Russians succeeded in reaching the Hasankale vicinity in their first stride. Pending the completion of strategic preparations, the Third Army was withdrawing its units from the border region, taking advantage of the Erzurum fortress, and decided to set up its resisting operation at the Hoyukler Line beyond Erzurum. In view of the four-day resistance of the forward Second Cavalry Division, which blocked the Russian advance, and as it became clear after reconnaissance that the enemy consisted of Armenian gangs, one Plaston brigade, and the Cossack Cavalry Division only, it was decided to deploy the main body of the Third Army. Thus, the Turkish Forces repulsing Russian forces advanced all the way up to Zivin fortified positions.

The attitude of the Armenian officers, doctors and enlisted men in the Turkish Army and of the Armenian people behind the front lines:

Advancing all the way to the East of Erzurum. Armenian gangs moved all Armenian villages with all their families to Russia, forcing those capable of using arms to join them. And, while withdrawing, as explained above, they resorted to every inhuman act and atrocity toward the Moslem villages, burning the villages to the ground, murdering the people. Armenian enlisted men in the Turkish army were taking this opportunity to flee to the Russian Army with their weapons. Officers and doctors, were also joining the Russian Army, taking with them much information about the Turkish army. It was observed on many occasions that in the most critical moments of the battle, positions of ammunition, batteries or the reserve positions were shown to the Russians. In this context, Kirkor, son of Ohannes from Gumushane, was seen showing the Pazacur position to the Russians. He confessed his crime at a courtmartial. Again during the most critical moments of the battle, some Armenian enlisted men were inciting Turkish enlisted men to flee, creating confusion in the battle lines. Armenian people behind the lines, did not hesitate to murder wounded soldiers who were sent back for treatment. Further, they had constant communication with Armenians in the Russian Army, informing them of the position and state of the Turkish units, and deciding their stand and position accordingly. Such coded messages were seized from spies many times. A few of the numerous documents showing evidence of spying on the position and state of the Turkish Army and supplying arms and ammunition to the Armenian people living in Turkish territories are underlined below:

Translation of a letter seized in the lining of the coat of (....) on his way from Van. The letter is written to the Dashnak Committee in the Armenian language:

"Our Dears (This is a form of address among committee members) Your letter was received on time. The properties known to you and to us where shipped via your designation (means arms, ammunition, bombs). It is difficult to ship you properties without risk. Roads are blocked. Clashes. have begun in the borders. As it seems, the operation will be joined. Uncle Shekyager is the "nom de plume" of the leader in Bursa, who fled. He does not cherish the same feelings. You will appreciate this? He had placed many immobile things around us. Arrival of mobile things continue. We have plenty of goods here and we know the shortage you suffer there. We are all affected by the death of Dervish: If ours does not reach you immediately dispatch vour messenger. Write about kind and number of troops in movement. (Asks information about Turkish army units).

Friendly regards
Minarian

Inhabitants of Armenian villages secretly moved to villages in areas with an Armenian majority, leaving behind only old and disabled Armenians in the evacuated villages.

The first rebellion started in the province of Bitlis. The strongest forces of the committees were in the Hizan district and the Karkar area of Bitlis, both bordering Van and Mus. The mutiny started during the past 15 days in various sections of the town by murdering the limited number of soldiers and gendarmes. An account of the happenings follows:

On 27 January 1330 (9 February 1915) two gendarmes sent to the Sekur Village of Karkar in the Hizan District were driven away from the village, being told that Government orders will henceforth not be obeyed. An eight-strong gendarme force was sent to the scene, but remained under strong fire from Armenian committees fortified positions in the village. Six of the gendarmes were killed, two succeeded in escaping. Further, no information was received from two gendarmes dispatched to Korsor village. A great number of Armenian gangs assembled in Korsor, Sekur and Arsin villages, starting raids on Moslem villages in the area, committing murders and atrocities. In the Karkar region, a group of gangs attacked the district capital of Hizan, in an effort to capture the town.

The rebellion expanded, Armenian gangs attacking Hizan were forced to halt by the resistance of the gendarmes and armed people in the town.

A strong detachment led by the Gendarmerie Regiment Commander of Bitlis was dispatched to the scene, while a message was transmitted to Van, to dispatch another unit from Van and one from Gevas. The unit dispatched from Gevas was ambushed on its way to Hizan and six gendarmes were killed in an armed clash with the Armenian gangs, one gendarme was wounded. The detachment continued to advance after being reinforced. The units dispatched from Van and Bitlis recovered the Kapan Yolu and Arnis villages from Armenian occupation and broke the siege of Hizan. The units continued their operation towards Ahkis. After two days of armed clashes, the Ahkis and Bigeri villages were recovered but the insurgents escaped.

On 4 February 330 (17 February 1915) the detachments assembled at Tasu village, turning over to the threatening insurgents. After one day's strong resistance, the village was recovered. This was followed with the recovery of the Korsu and Sigor villages, after a two-day battle. Many Russian uniform caps and Russian material and equipment, abandoned by the insurgents, was found. It was also observed that the villages were turned into fortified field positions. The corpses of the two gendarmes murdered in Sigorvillage were uncovered, their eyes gouged out, their lungs taken out from ripped chests and their heads smashed. The marked mare of Van Committee Leader Ishan was found during the recovery of Viris village. Among the corpses were also those of Vahan, one of the famous committee leaders of Van, son of Kesis from Humnis village, and of Kalon from Sekur village. This makes it clear that Vahan was specially sent from Van to lead the rebellion. The start of the rebellion in the above places, soon ignited revolts in the plain villages of Mus. On 28 January 1330 (10 February 1915) that is to say just one day after the start of the rebellion in Hizan, a gendarmerie detachment on its way, came under fire around Serunek village of Mus, and was forced to an armed clash which ended with casualties and loss of horses. Supporting detachments dispatched from Mus under the command of three officers, reached the scene and surrounded the insurgents. Nine of the Committee members were captured dead. Others succeeded in escaping. On the same day, the house where the sub-district head and the Gendarmerie detachment stayed in the Kumes village of Aksan, was surrounded by the insurgents after an eight-hour armed clash, nine gendarmes were brutally killed and the house was set on fire by the Armenian gangs. The sub-district head and one of the gendarmes escaped in the dark of night, after fighting his way out through the flames of the building. The detachments from the Mus Depot Regiment dispatched to capture the perpetrators came under fire and after two-day armed clashes the insurgents escaped. The presence of Dashnak Mus Committee Delegate Rupen and one of the leading Dashnak Committee figures of Mus, Esro, at the scene of the Kumes incident, and, as it became clear afterwards that the operation of the insurgents was led by these two Armenian figures, clearly shows the actual face of the rebellion. As a matter of fact, following the Kumes incident. Rupen and Esro did not return to Mus. They stayed with their gang and continued to threaten the Government here and there.

Upon learning that the perpetrators of the Kumes and Seronik incidents were hidden in the Arak Monestary of Mus, a gendarmerie detachrnent was dispatched under the command of 2nd Lt. Ahmet on 12 February 330 (25 Februay 1915). While the detachment was approaching the monastery, it came under severe fire from the front and the flanks. Lt. Ahmet and four of the gendarmes were killed, while the rest of the detachment continued the armed clash until night and were obliged to withdraw after dark. A second stronger detachment from the Mus Depot Regiment was dispatched on 14 February 330 (27 February 1915) as in reinforcement but the Committee gang had already escaped, evacuating the monastery. They had always maintained their occupation of the monastery as one of their shelters.

Further, on 13 February 330 (26 February 1915) four gendarmerie patrols, were attacked while eating their lunch on the river bank near Kelikozan, by the people of Kelikozan, and brutally murdered, their corpses were cut into pieces with axes and buried at a one hour distant place. With the sudden loss of the four gendarmes, authorities already assumed that they had been annihilated by the committee. The investigation gave clues and traces which led the investigators to the Kelikozan area, uncovering the murder. The perpetrators were captured and put on trial before a military court. As a matter of fact, without any hesitation, they confessed their crime and all the brutality. Similar incidents followed.

The immediate suppression of the rebellion on the spot by Government forces surprised the committee gangs, bringing relative calmness in Bitlis. Armenians of Bitlis realized that the Government's strength was superior to the committee's. The protection by the government of lives and properties of Armenians who were not involved in any armed clash was very effective and leading Armenian personalities both in Mus and Bitlis who had no links with the Dashnaks, openly condemned the happenings.

Parliament Member Papasian was in Mus, commanding the operation from the Centre. As the conclusion of the developments was contrary to his line, he immediately approached the Government, saying that perpetrators of the Hizan, Kumes, Serenek and Monastery incidents were ignorant army deserters, and that the clash at the Monastery was because the army deserters sheltering there fired their weapons in fear of the attack of the Gendarmerie, claiming that the Dashnak Committee had no involvement at all in the incidents, and that they were ready to assist the Government. He was afraid that the plot for a rebellion would be uncovered by the Government. He went on to send letters to the Armenian Patriarch in Istanbul, with a different version of the happenings. Here was the explanation of the Patriarch based on the information received from Parliament Member Papasian:

"With the assignment of Yasar Ceto and Mehmet Emin recently for the preservation of public order, Armenians became victims of disasters and with the killing of the bailiffs of Halsi, Hunz and Ruhte villages by gendarmes, the inhabitants were so upset, that in retaliation they killed the four gendarmes. Also two gendarmes were killed in retaliation for the killing of a boy by gendarmes in Zigo village and of four of eight army deserters while being taken to the centre. If the people were obliged as a last resort in protection of sacred things to resist the aggression of the gendarmerie, this cannot be described as a revolt and the burning and plundering of houses of the people and attempts to kill the people is incompatible with justice ..."

Upon this application of the Armenian Patriarch. Istanbul requested the Third Army Command to investigate the matters and if things had really happened as reported above, the perpetrators must be severely punished. It was also reported from Elazig that it was the Director who caused the Meksi incident. Upon the request from Istanbul, the Third Army Command ordered the Eleventh Army Corps Command in Elazig to send an Investigation Group led by Colonel Veysi Bey, Acting Commander of the 33rd Division.

Here are the conclusions of the investigation:

1. The assignment of Yasar Ceto and Mehmet Emin as officials for public order was completely baseless. In fact, Yasar Ceto, together with his men, volunteered to Azerbaidjan in the initial stage of mobilisation and was killed in the Hoy Battle three months before the incidents in question happened.

Mehmet Emin was ambushed by Armenians on his way to Azerbaidjan also three months ago, was wounded and is currently under treatment.

2. There was no Armenian village bailiff killed in Bitlis Province.

3. As to the boy the Patriarch claimed to be killed in Zigo Village: There is no village within the Bitlis Province with the name of Zigo and the killing of a boy by the Gendarmarie was completely unfounded.

4. It was clear that the actions were not retaliation or moves of legitimate self-defence as the Patriarch claimed, but were absolutely audacious aggressions.

As it was clearly understood the conclusions of the investigation. referring to officials related to public order (Yasar Ceto) who was killed. long ago not making clear the place for which the persons were assigned the duty of preserving public order, and claiming the murder of a boy in a village which does not exist on the map, are sufficient to judge the degree of accuracy of the allegations.

As a matter of fact, the Van and Karahisar rebellions which followed made it clear that the purpose was to create confusion, leading to dispersion of the Government forces and a sudden strike in Van. All the incidents were followed by the general rebellion in Van.

Sukru
Van

Archive No : 112
CabinNo : 113
Drawer No : 4
File No : 528
Section No : 2061
Index No : 2.21-18

Holdwater: The above reflected pretty good intelligence! The bit where the Patriarch got caught with his pants down (with the made-up village of Zigo) was very amusing. The Parliamentarian Papazian shed very important light on the treachery of his people, in an article he had written, representing the kind of traitorous "Armenian intellectuals and cultural leaders" arrested on April 24.

DOCUMENT NO: 1906 (101)

Ministry of Defence
Department of Correspondence
Coding Section

CODED CABLE FROM ELAZIG TO THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Hadji Abdul Aziz Effendi, responsible for the group sent from Silvan to Mus, accompanied by five gendarmes, was confronted with a nine-man Armenian band around Murz Village four hours' distance from Bitlis. After a two-hour armed clash, five Armenians escaped, four were captured (dead) together with four short Russian... three sword belts, 380 rounds of ammunition. 100 Ottoman Liras found on one of them was delivered to the Bitlis provincial authority. The above information was submitted by the coded message of Division Command in Mus on 16 March 1331 (29 March 1915) and was conveyed to the Army and to the Army Corps. 17 March 1331 (30 March 1915)

Acting Commander Eleventh Army Corps
Hakki

Public Order 72/18 March 331 (31 March 1915)

Public Order Section
18.1.331 (31 March 1915), K.A.E.

Info. to Ministry of Interios. To be returned after info. (18.1.331) (31 March 1915)

Hakki Cemal
(seal)
Section: 331/3
Independent Public Order Section
Hereby returned 18.1.331
(31 March 1918)
Ismet

Archive No : 4/131
Cabin No : 149
Drawer No : 4
File No : 2287
Section No : 12
Index No : 6-16

 

SEAL (Not clear)
No : 35

TO THE THIRD ARMY COMMAND

Honourable Commanding General,

After leaving Istanbul by train on January 29 and arriving in Ulukisla, I have continued following the rear-line communications programme issued by the Special Service Deportment. Several days before our arrival in the 300-dwelling Armenian village of Purek of the Susehri District of Sivas (province), in other words on February 12, two horses were taken from the village to carry two sick enlisted men of the Zaro comrnandos up to the communication Zone. Agop, the Moughtar (headman) of the village, revolver in hand, led and incited the people, all armed with revolvers, and attacked the Commandos, forcing them to take shelter with the unarmed recruits of the training centre, after which they attacked, wounding two enlisted men. District Governor Ahmet Hilmi, Mobile Gendarmerie Unit Commander Salim and Stationery Gendarmerie Unit Ziya and Public Prosecutor Fuat, the same mob of Armenians attacked the gendarmes, murdering one gendarme and escaping to the mountains from where they continued their raids. They were later suppressed and investigation started. In this way the following information was obtained:

The Karahisarisarki Flag and attached organisations of the Dashnaksoutiun Committee, have been arming 111 Armenian youths in the Sivas region ever since the Proclamation of the Constitution, bringing together an armed and equipped contingent of some 30,000 men in the region when mobilization was declared. Of these 15,000 men were sent to Russia while 15,000 remained ready for a rebellion upon instructions from Russia. Sources said they are capable of carrying on with the revolt for 30 days, with sufficient ammunition for 1000 rounds per man daily. A 30-men War Command has been designated by the Committee headed by Armenian Bishop of Karahisar for the Karahisarlsarki region. Investigations have been extended. When our designated battalion arrived in the said village, the investigation committee persistently requested our assistance the investigation. During the one-night investigation, some 100 Greek gras (a type of rifle) were captured and delivered to the investigation board against receipt. Throughout, district and sub-district governors representing the Government explained that all Armenian villages are armed, ready for a rebellion. As their forces were not sufficient for the necessary inquiries and searches, they asked for our assistance. During our search in these places, escorted by sub-district governors of Ezbider (Refahiye) and Agvanist (Karahisar) and District Governor of Refahiye, we uncovered some 1000 weapons which we turned over to the local authorities against receipt. Proceeding from Erzincan, accompanied by sub-district governor of Pulur (Bayburt) and Commander of the Training Unit of Kesanti village, we uncovered some 40 weapons in the said villages and in Pulerik, Kaleverik, Hendi, turning them over to the district authority of Bayburt against receipt.

As it was explained earlier, the investigation related to the Purek village has shown that arms have been supplied in preparation for a rebellion, each individual Armenian guarding these as carefully they guard their lives. Each Armenian owned one or more weapon, with abundant ammunition, apart from arms and ammunition stored in depots. Printed rebellion leaflets and programmes were also seized. It became evident that only in the Sivas and Erzincan regions, the number of arms possessed by Armenians is around 30,000. It is worth noting that during brief searches on over-night stays in these places more than 200 weapons were uncovered. An extensive search, is therefore likely to end up with large quantities of armaments. Awaiting your orders. Section 3 27/28 Date

Special Service Volunteers Battalion
Commander
(Signature)

To the First Section for comments
29 Days
(Signature)

Archive No : 113671
Cabin No : 163
Drawer No : 2
File No : 2818
Section No : 59
Index No : 1-59, 1-60

DOCUMENT NO: 1908 (104)

 

No: 1011

CODED MESSAGE FROM PERTEV BEY, ACTlNG COMMANDER 10TH ARMY CORPS (SIVAS) RECEIVED ON 7.2.331 (20 APRIL 1915)

Annex to Coded Message No 713 of 26 March (8 April):

1. The Gendarmerie detachment dispatched to Horasan village to look for army deserter Armenian Mirad upon suspicion did not find the deserter but captured a crate of 'Gra" rifles (a type of Greek rifle) a crate of bombs and dynamite. Searching continues.

2. In searches conducted by the Government at Tuzlasar village of Hafik yesterday, 16 crates of weapons, 20 bombs, and a crate of brand new blue uniforms were uncovered and confiscated. During the search, 30 partisans together with two persons from the gang of Armenian Mirad from Gokdin village, opened fire on gendarmerie guards on the outskirts of the village but succeeded in escaping in the dark. The detachments have been reinforced and searches continue. All mobile gendarmes have been deployed on the scene. As to the infantrymen in the centre, their Schneider type weapons can hardly cope with the Manliher weapons possessed by the Armenians. It was therefore considered inappropriate to utilise the infantry in the centre as this would result in a high number of casualties.

It is requested that sufficient cavalry and infantrymen are dispatched from the garrison as soon as possible. As many of the Armenians hide weapons, bombs and dynamite in their homes and many are armed, action is necessary accordingly. For this, 20 armed cavalry men from Depot Cavalry company were dispatched to the scene. It has been ordered to assign all trained men of the Depot Battalion at Hafik under the order of the Government and every measure is taken to suppress the upheaval.

Section: 1
8 (21 ) Date

Archive No : 4/3671
Cabin No : 163
Drawer No : 2
File No :. 2820
Section No : 69
Index No : 3-10

DOCUMENT NO: 1910 (106)

 

INTERROGATION OF CHAKCIAN KlORK (Continued)

Who was with him in the house ?
Some army deserters. I don't know their names.

What is your job ?
I am a clerk.

Does your son come home at nights ?
No, he never comes. I don't know where he stays.

Where is he now ?
I don't know where he is.

When did you throw the seven military uniforms which were recovered from the well during the search today?
I have no information about this. There has bean nobody at our home for five or six days. Our home was empty with the door open.

Who threw the uniforms into the well?
I don't know. Mehmet Effendi (military police) told me that they had learnt from the informant denounced. Who ever is the informant may be he threw the uniforms in. I have no information whatsoever.

Tell us the truth ?
Our home is deserted.

Where was your son then ?
He was in the street then.

At home ?

Did you give food or goods to these deserters any other time ?
No, as I said before, I gave them food and bread only one day.

Does your wife have any information about the uniforms in the well ?
No, she doer not.

Now seal your statement.
I have no seal. Let me put my fingerprint. 9 (22) date

Aforesaid women Luaik
(Fingerprint)

Drafted by Assistant Police Commissioner
Signature (Seyit lbrahim)

Interrogation statement of aforesaid woman Lusik's
husband Chakcian Kiork. 9 April 331 (22 April 1915)

Where is your son Dikran now ? Where was he before ?
I have not seen him for five or six days. He is an army deserter. He is hiding in the houses.

You should have known by now where your son is and sent him food ?
No, I don't know his whereabouts.

Today these seven sets of khaki uniforms (jackets, trousers and Enveriye (head gear attributed to Enver Pasha) of Armenian Army deserters were recovered from the well in sacks
You have seen these. Who brought them and threw them into the well?'
I don't know. I have no information

You a while ago admitted that you have given food to the deserters from mobilisation forces ? What way and how ?
One of the deserters with three friends asked for food and bread. I gave them cooked spinach and bread, they took it away.

Interrogation statement of Mrs. Lusik, daughter of Kirakos, wife of Chakcian Kiork. Armenian from Hasirli section of Diyarbakir, father of Dikran, involved in the case of uncovered uniforms of Armenian soldiers deserting from the Fifth Army Corps. 9 April 331 (22 April 1915).

Your name - Name of father ?
My name is Cusik. I am wife of Kiork.

Your age ?
60 years old. I live in Hasirli section.

Name of your son ? How old is he ? His profession ?
His name is Dikran, He is around 30. He is a shoemaker.

Where were you yesterday and last night ? Was your son with you?
Yesterday I was in the house of my daughter Haiganosh. At night I stayed at the house of Minosh, sister of my husband. My son Dikran was not with us.

For how many days have you not seen your son?
He left on Wednesday, saying he will surrender to the Government. I don't know his whereabouts now. Give me time to go and look for him. When I find out, I will come and let you know.

Did your son have good relations with army deserters ?
I have no information. He was wondering around houses.

You have a seal, can you write ? Sign your statement.
I have no seal. I can write. I sign. 9 April 331 (22 April 1915) Chakcian Kiork.
(Date and Signature.)

Archive No : 5/1920
Cabin No : 204
Drawer No : 3
File No : 4608
Section No : 1
Index No : 33, 331-1

Holdwater: While reading the account of the above interrogation, I could not help thinking of the "Armenian song" (accessible in the red box entitled "Addendum (10-06)" near the top of this page), where the withholding of information was considered a patriotic duty.

No: 10327
CODED MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM GOVERNOR OF SIVAS, MUAMMER BEY on 9/10.2.331
(22/23 April 1915) :

C. 8.2.331 (21 April 1915)

1. The places within the province with a high Armenian population are Karahisar, Susehri, Hafik, Dirigi and Gurun, Gemerek, Amasya, Tokat and Merzifon.

2. To date a great number of prohibited weapons and dynamite have been seized in searches in villages around Susehri, at Tuzhisar and Horasan villages of Hafik and at Ulalas sub-district of the Central region.

3. Armenians have organised and armed a 30,000 strong force from this province, of which 15,000 this way or the other joined the Russian Army while the remaining 15 (thousand) have been assigned with the mission of occupation in the rear, should our Army fail to be successful (May God forbid). These have been confirmed with the interrogation statements of the arrested suspects.

4. It has been felt that Armenians are preparing for a rebellion in the spring, when sheltering is possible in the mountains. This has been confirmed by the captured arms and explosives during the Van incident and with the flight of some of the leading figures of the committee.

5. Upon reports that Mirad, a leading Dashnak figure was hiding at Tuzhisar village, I dispatched a contingent. During an armed clash several of the Armenians were killed and about 20 surrendered, the rest escaped. Follow-up operations continue.

6. Upon request from stationed and mobile gendarmerie for support, a strong detachment was sent toward Hafik. Villages expected to take part in the rebellion have been cleared by the military of materials, vehicles and means of attack and defence.

7. The provincial authority has been authorised to invite all men up to 40-50 ages for military service and take all necessary precautions. We are gratified for this permission, however, as most of the people of that age are sick or disabled, their presence would make hospitals more crowded. In fact, only men of that ages are left in villages now, because of mobilisation. Their conscription would mean the evacuation of the villages and would have negative effects on the morale of the people. I therefore consider it appropriate to delay this move for the time being, after arming those able, pending their call when needed. Two artillery guns, would be sufficient for the purpose, if sent here.

Section : 1
10 (23) dated

Archive No : 4/3641
Cabin No : 163
Drawer No : 2
File No : 2820
Section No : 69
Index No : 3-45.3-46


Holdwater: The "Mirad" from Point 5 must be "Murad." In addition, Vahakn Dadrian attempted to discredit Point 3's report concerning the 30,000 traitorous Sivas Armenians.