No :             Date of Document              S u b j e c t

1)   1996(143) November 30/December 1, 1914 Acting Governor of Van, Cevdet Bey's report to the Ministry of the Interior regarding his talks with Armenians on possible incidents in Van and dispatching people to Bitlis as a result of the Russian advance.

2) 1997 (144) February 25, 1915 German Private Otto Fensher's letter in German on the Armenian cruelties and other events he witnessed since he was wounded and taken prisoner of war by Russians in Eastern Germany on December 27, 1914.

3) 1998(145) February 25, 1915 Report by the 5th Army Command to the Ministry of Defence on the explosion of a bomb made by Armenians and uncovering of a substantial amount of explosives and weapons hidden in Armenian cemeteries.

4) 1999(146) February 26, 1915 Enver Pasha's instructions to commanders regarding the powers they will have and the measures to be taken in case of an Armenian revolt, as a result of Armenian attacks against the gendarmerie in Bitlis, Halep and Dortyol and the uncovering of code groups and bombs in Armenian houses in Kayseri.

5) 2000(147) February 27, 1915 Telegram from the Provincial Authority of Adana to the Directorate General of Security, Ministry of the interior, on an investigation revealing that some Armenians had been armed to kill the Turks and cooperating with the enemy.

6) 2001(148) April 14, 1915 Coded message requesting measures to prevent the spread of Armenian incidents in Mus and Bitlis, evidently instigated by the enemy countries.

7) 2002(149) Telegram from the 10th Army Corps Command to the Acting Supreme Command, informing the underground foundation of the Armenian Tashnak Society in Sivas with the aim of creating unrest behind the battle lines.

8) 2003(150) April 22/23, 1915 Coded message from Cevdet Bey, Governor of Van, reporting that Armenians revolted in Van, burned the city, and that intensive clashes were going on.

9) 2004(151) May 22, 1915 Report to the Acting Supprerne Command on the result of investigations carried out upon the allegations of the Armenian Patriarchate of cruelties against the Armenians in Sivas, Van, Erzincan and Erzurum.

10)2005(152) April 24, 1915 Commander of the Van Mobile gendarmerie Division, Karm Bey's message on the Russian advance toward Kotor and efforts by Armenian gangs in Iran to infiltrate into Van, taking advantage of the Armenian uprising.

11)2006(153) May 22, 1915 Telegram based on translation of a news item from "Asbarer", a newspaper in the U.S.A., reporting that Armenian gang leader Antranik joined Russian Commander Chernoroyof's division and that he receives financial support from the U.S.A.

12)2007(154) May 27, 1915 Minutes of interrogation of an Armenian army deserter on manufacture of bombs in Armenian houses and shops.

13)2008(155) June 11, 1915 Statement by Abraham who claims to be a Syriac, regarding information on the Russian and Armenian forces in Tabriz, Aras and Van and the aspirations of the Armenians.

14)2009(156) June 29, 1915 Telegram from the Governor of Erzurum, reporting clashes between an Armenian gang and Tevfik Efendi Detachment.

15)2010(157) July 2, 1915 Telegram by Acting Governor of Karahisar and Special Forces Commander to the 3rd Army Command reporting the message of surrendering by the Armenians and the reply given.

16)201 l(l58) July 20, 1915 Lazistan Commander Avni Pasha's message that gendarmerie forces clash with over 300 armed Armenians in the Ordu region.

17)2012(159) July 22, 1915 Report informing the Acting Supreme Command of the measures taken as a result of the Armenian incidents in Karahisar. Ordu, Midyat, and Cizre.

18)2013(160) August 4, 1915 Army Corps Commander Suleyman Faik Pasha's telegram to the 3rd Army Command regarding the crushing of the Armenian uprising in Midyat and its vicinity.

19)2014(161) August 2/3, 1915 Governor of Sivas, Muammer Bey's message on revolting Armenians.

20)2015(162) August 4, 1915 10th Army Corps Commander Pertev Bey's message on clashes with armed Armenians who took shelter in a house in Niksar

21)2016(163) September 2, 1915 Communications Inspector informs the 3rd Army Command that the veterinarian of the 89th Regiment joined the Armenian gangs.

22)2017(164) September 29, 1915 Telegram by the District Administration of Urfa to the Ministry of Interior regarding the Armenian uprising in the town.

23)2018(165) September 26, 1915 Gendarmerie General Command's report to the Ministry of Defence on the formation of a commission for investigations on civil servants and gendarmes who allegedly abused their powers during the relocation of the Armenians.

24)2019(166) October 3, 1915 October 5, 1915 Report by Head of the Tortum Conscription Office on the Armenian cruelties in Narman, Tortum and their vicinity since the War of 1877-1878.

25)2020(167) Report by District Administration of Urfa on the Armenian uprising in the town and the measures to be taken.

26)2021(168) November 11, 1915 Governor of Erzurum reports the 3rd Army Command that grenades were found in an Armenian house.

27)2022(169) March 21, 1916 Message by the 3rd Army Command to the Acting Supreme Command, reporting Turks were taken to unknown premises by the Armenians who commit other atrocities.

28)2023(170) April 3, 1916 Colonel Halil Sami, Conscription Dept. Chief of the 5th Army Corps reports to the Ministry of Defence that great number of armed Armenians are perpetrating atrocities in Akdagmadeni.

29)2024(171) March 15, 1917 Instructions by Cemal Pasha, 4th Army Commander, for purchasing the possessions of the relocated Armenians at their real values so that the Armenians would not lose money.

30)2025(172) May 10, 1917 Caucasian Army Group Commander Ahmet lzzet Pasha's message to the Acting Supreme Command, reporting atrocities against the Moslems in Erzincan by the Armenians who receive Russian support and requesting political initiatives to end the cruelties.

31) 2026(173) December 11, 1918 Ottoman Caucasian Armies Commander Vehip Pasha's letter to Russian Caucasian Army Commander General Odeshelidje for stopping the Armenian atrocities in Erzincan, Sarikamis Bayburt, Rize and Trabzon.  

32)2027(174) February 12, 1918 3rd Army Commander Vehip Pasha's report to the Acting Supreme Command on Armenian atrocities in the occupied territories.  

33) 2028(175) February 17, 1918 Copies of the letters on Armenian cruelties sent to Russian generals Odeshelidje and Lebedinsky by 3rd Army Commander Vehip Mehmet Pasha.

34) 2029(176) February 21, 1918 Ottoman Caucasian Armies Commander Vehip Mehmet Pasha's reply to Russian Caucasian Army Commander General Liyotnan Odeshelidje's letter on continuing Armenian atrocities.

35) 2030(177) February 21, 1918 Statements by Russian Captain Kazmir, Russian Private Alexander and a Russian woman named Pas regarding the Armenian atrocities they witnessed in Erzincan.

36) 2031(178) February 23, 1918 1st Caucasian Army Corps Commander Kazim Karabekir's telegram to the 3rd Army Command regarding operations against the Armenian revolts who retreated after burning down Mamahatun and its vicinity

37)2032(179) February 23, 1918 3rd Army Command's report to the Acting Supreme Command, Thunderbolt Group Command and 4th Army and 6th Army Commands regarding Mamahatun and other places liberated by the Turkish forces and the Armenian atrocities in these towns.  

38) 2033(180) March 3, 1918 Enver Pasha's instructions to the 3rd Army Command regarding his requests to be conveyed to the Russian Caucasian Army Command for prevention of the Armenian atrocities.

39) 2034(181) May 7, 1918 Petition by Kagizman Branch Chairman, Moslem Charity Society of Baku, to the 36th Caucasian Division on Armenian cruelties against the Moslems in the Erivan region.

40)2035(182) Memorandum issued by the 3rd Army Command to the Armenian Government on arrangement of migrations in line with the articles of the treaty signed between the Ottoman Government and Armenian delegates.

41)2036(183) June 29, 1918 9th Division Command's message to the 1st Caucasian Army Corps Command requesting initiative for permission for the Moslems of Erivan to migrate to Turkey and the prevention of Armenian atrocities.

42)2037(184) June 28, 1918 Eastern Armies Commander's message to the Acting Speaker of the Armenian Assembly regarding Armenian atrocities in Alexanderpole and Ahilkelek against the Moslem people.

43)2038(185) December 27, 1918 9th Army Command's coded message to the Ministry of Defence requesting contacts with representatives of the Allies in istanbul to put an end to the Armenian atrocities against Moslems in Erivan, Nahcivan and their vicinity.

44) 2039(186) December 28, 1918 Requests from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to end the Armenian massacres of the Moslem population following the evacuation of Igdir by Ottoman Forces, through the mediation of Allies and neutral governments.

45)2040(187) January 4, 1919 9th Army Command's message to the Ministry of Defence noting that Armenian atrocities in Serdarabat, Erivan and other region would go on unless stopped by the mediation of the Allied Countries.

46)2041(188) January 6, 1919 9th Army Command's message to the Ministry of Defence indicating that attacks against the Turkish officers in Batum by Greek and Armenian volunteers can be stopped through orders by the British Command of Batum.

47)2042(189) January 21, 1919 Report by 9th Army Command to the Ministry of Defence on Armenian attacks and massacres in Arpaqay.

48)2043(190) July 27, 1919 Report by 5th Army Corps Command to the Ministry of Defence on important articles of British Representative Rawlinson's message to the British General Headquarters in Istanbul regarding Armenian atrocities in the border region from Oltu to Dogu Beyant.

49)2044(191) August 26/27, 1919 Message by 15th Army Corps to the Ministry of Defence noting that the Armenian Dashnak Society, supported by the Armenian Government, attempts to annihilate all Moslems in Sarikamis, Igdir, Revan and Aras regions.

50)2045(192) March 7, 1920 Official telegram sent to Admiral Bristol and Allied representatives in Istanbul denying allegations of Armenian genocide in Anatolia.

51)2046(193) March 7, 1920 Telegram by 3rd Army Corps Command to Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs, noting that Armenian atrocities in Hacin Feke and Adana regions made the population extremely anxious.

52)2047(194) October 23, 1920 Lists of the villages burned and destroyed and of names of Turks massacred by the Armenians in one year.

 

Beginning from the 18th century, the question of partition of the Ottoman territories among the European countries following a possible disintegration of the Empire, which was the main goal, constituted the "Eastern Question" in the European diplomatic circles. The "Armenian Question" arose as an extension of the overall "Eastern Question." Following the "Cyprus Peace Operations" on July 20, 1974, certain circles reintroduced the "Armenian Question" with the objective of impairing the Turkish Republic. To this end, the issue has been exploited a great deal during the last few years and continuous efforts have been exerted to keep this issue hot.

The European powers had waged a constant struggle to keep under direct or indirect control the strategically important regions of the Ottoman Empire, a semi-colony about to be disintegrated, and created artificial problems by using the Ottoman minorities in order to gain an advantage over their rivals.

This is the basis of the "Armenian Question", which has been much exploited and exaggerated since the 19th century.

The "Armenian Question", a natural product of the ambition to rule the world, was ornamented with so-called humane motives based on exploitation and reintroduced into the attention of a sensitive public opinion just after the First World War broke out. In this regard, the inhumane attitudes and actions of the Armenians, who were Ottoman subjects as well, and the massacres and atrocities they perpetrated against the Turkish people in Anatolia during the First World War were misevaluated by some Western writers on purpose. The facts had been distorted and consequently there came into being the supposition that the Armenians had been subjected to a genocide by the Turks.

Another point persistently emphasized during the cowardly murders of Turkish diplomats by the Armenians in recent years is the demand for the recognition of the so-called genocide by the Turkish Republic.

For this reason, it is necessary, in the first place, to examine the definition of the word "genocide." As was pointed out in the 83rd edition of the "Military History Documents Magazine", genocide is the "premeditated and indiscriminate annihilation of all individuals of an unarmed and defenceless community."

However, many documents on Armenians published in the 81st and 83rd editions as well as documents No. 1998 (145), 1999 (146), 2000 (147), 2003 (150), 2006 (153), 2007 (154). 2011 (158), 2021 (168), 2031 (178), etc. that appear in the current edition prove beyond doubt that the Armenians living in Anatolia or elsewhere had been engaged in an armed revolt against the Ottoman state.

For this reason, it is necessary, in the first place, to examine the definition of time as a "revolt" of the Armenians and the measures taken by the Ottoman State through the use of the legal power of the imperium, rather than calling them a one-sided genocide.

Documents prove that Armenians, just like during the Ottoman-Russian War of 1877-1878 (Document No. 2019 (166)) were to betray the Ottoman State and stab it in the back (83rd Edition, Document No. 1894) during the First World War as well. For this reason, it is both illogical and irrational to define the legal measures taken for maintaining order as a genocide against Armenians.

As a matter of fact, the Ottoman rulers, despite the continuing war, felt it was necessary to take measures for the civil servants and the gendarmes (Document No. 2018 (165)) not to abuse their authority against the Armenians due to emotional reasons, rather than conduct a genocide.

Armenians in the Ottoman Empire were elevated to important positions which could not be attained by minorities in other countries. They became Ministers of the Royal Treasury, Foreign Affairs, and Post and Telegraph, and Ambassadors to London, The Hague and Brussels. Even the administration of the Royal Ordnance Factories, one of the most critical institutions in the Empire, belonged to the Armenians for 140 years. Leaving aside prejudices of all sorts, it is not possible to prove or document that the Turks had conducted a genocide against the Armenians, and particularly against the women, the elderly and the children.

On the contrary, the documents in this publication exhibit the hostile actions of the Armenians against the state and the Turkish community, with whom they had been living in peace. For instance, one can easily say that throughout the whole duration of the War, the Armenians worked against the Ottoman state, set up secret organizations to facilitate the enemy advance, created unrest behind the front (Document No. 2002 (149) and 2004 (151)) and hence conclude that the enemy, taking advantage of the Armenian actions occupied certain regions quite easily (Document No. 2005 (152)).

During that period, Armenian collaboration with the enemy - the Russians in particular - and substantial Armenian forces joining the enemy appeared in the foreign press as well (Document No. 2006 (153)).

Those who constantly talk about the so-called Armenian genocide in Anatolia without any scientific or documentary basis, should pay particular attention to the following facts:

-Armenians armed themselves, manufactured bombs of various sorts, and stocked them for future use. (Document No. 1999 (146), 2007 (154)).

- Armenians set up numerous gangs throughout Anatolia, and apart from individual attacks, usurpations and murders, disguised themselves as soldiers and in groups of 500 to 600 bandits, attacked the Turkish units, and burned and destroyed towns and villages (Document No. 2003 (150), 201 1 ( I S ) , 2012 (159), 2023 (170)).

- Even the foreigners pointed out the cruelties, tortures, and the vulgar attacks that the Turks were subjected to (Document No: 1997 (144), 2030 (177)).

-The revolting Armenians used the most sophisticated weapons of the time, including artillery guns, bombs, and machine guns (Document No. 2014 (161), 2031 (178)).

-The numbers of Turkish villages pillaged and destroyed and of innocent Turks raped and killed as a result of the Armenian cruelties in Anatolia are very high (Document No. 2019 (166). 2047 (194)).

- The Ottoman Caucasian Armies Command corresponded with the Commander in-Chief, Russian Caucasian Armies with the aim of preventing the Armenians from attacking and massacring the Turks in the eastern regions (Document No. 2026 (173), 2029 (176)).

- When the Armenian cruelties reached extreme proportions, Enver Pasha personally applied to the Russian Caucasian Armies Command, requesting measures to put an end to the massacres (Document No. 2033 (180)).

In presenting this publication to the attention of the public, we hope that it would enlighten the people with commonsense and those who still think that the Armenians had been subjected to a so-called genocide.

Dr. Yücel Aktar
Colonel
(Education Corps)

 
"My escape from Russia.

My name is Otto Fensher. l am from the 141st Infantry Regiment based in "Graddensi". 1 was wounded and taken prisoner of war by the Russians on December 27, 1914 in Eastern Prussia. The Russians took me to a hospital in "Olbolinsk". After staying there for six weeks, I was told that my health was satisfactory and later I was sent to Siberia. They were paying us a daily wage of 10 kapiks to meet our essential needs. We were very hungry and cold. Our complaints in this regard were turned down by the guards who were saying: "the German pigs must endure everything." Such unfit treatment by the Russians greatly hurt our feelings and our patience was running out. Many of my friends resolved to escape. Approximately 200 of us were kept in a shed. There was a building for P.O.W. officers next to our shed. The Austrian POW's who were kept with us also shared the idea of escaping from the prison camp. The first attempt of a prison escape was made on April 20, 1915. There were six of us trying to escape, two German officers, two Austrian cadets, a major sergeant and myself. We went as far as the town of "Onkoten" near the border. We were planning to make the escape from the Romanian border. There, we had to cross a river. We decided that the officers should go first. The officers crossed the river. An enemy patrol opened fire on us while we were about to make our escape. We had to stop. After a while we were caught and subjected to outrageous maltreatment. The guards beat and whipped us. We were sent from one prison to the other. Finally, the Russian Revolution came to our assistance as well. The hour of our freedom was near once again. We were ready to take advantage of the first opportunity as soon as possible. We were lucky in this respect. We came across suitable opportunities that would facilitate our escape. During the revolution, we were in the city of "Astrahan" on the Volga river. We were able to survive due to the fact that the Russian government granted us permission to work as laborers in the city. We took this opportunity immediately. First of all, we got acquainted with our fellow countrywomen, who were the victims of the war. During their invasion of Eastern Prussia, the Russians brought with them many young girls to Russia. We had mutual feelings to help each other. The Russians sent 80 German and Russian prisoners, including myself, to Tiflis to work. There, I started again to look for an opportunity to escape. Actually, I bought the clothes and the pass of a Russian who was born in Germany and I boarded a train posing as a Russian soldier. This train took me to Sarikamis. I witnessed for the first time the Armenian atrocities imposed on the Turks at the Sarikamis Train Station. Around 10 Turkish soldiers were busy carrying wood near the station. Since it had rained the day before, the work could not be done fast enough. For this reason, an Armenian supervising the Turkish soldiers, began to curse at them. Then he hit one of the Turks with a club and the poor man died on the spot. I left Sarikamis and went to Karaurgan. This small town is 30 kilometers from Sarlkamis. I stayed in Karauryan for three days. There I once again witnessed the Armenian atrocities against the Turks. The landlord of the house I was staying in was a 'Turk. He complained that the Armenians were searching his home at least twice a week, seizing what they thought was valuable and beating the household under a variety of pretexts. I took advantage of the narrow gauge railroad in Karaurgan and travelled to Erzurum. I stayed in Erzurum for one week. The city was in ruins. All the mosques were turned into depots and public baths. 'The Turks were not allowed in the streets after 8 o'clock in the evenings. One night I saw three Armenians raping a Turkish girl. When the girl began to scream, one of the Armenians killed her with a knife. I found a policeman nearby and told him what happened. He went to the scene of the murder, and after finding out that the murdered girl was a Turk, he just shook his shoulders and said: "It is no big deal. She was Turkish. All Turks must be destroyed." Then I departed from Erzurum to go to Mamahatun. On my way, I saw many Turkish prisoners breaking up stones. They wanted tobacco and bread from me. I went inside a Turkish shop in Mamahatun. I bought a few cans of food. Meanwhile, an Armenian officer came into the shop. He took around twelve cans of food. He asked the shopkeeper the price. When the shopkeeper said it was 27 rubles, the Armenian officer began to swear at him and left the shop without paying. The shopkeeper told me that this was the usual practice and that the Armenians did not pay for the goods they bought. A few days later, I went to Iresenson by car. The driver told me that the Kurds had attacked an Armenian battalion at the front a few days ago and that the Armenians had retreated from their original positions in the beginning. He said that as a result of the counter attack by the support forces sent by the Russians, the Kurds had to retreat as well. He also told me that the Armenians killed all the women, children and the elderly from a nearby Turkish village who could not escape in time and that the Russians pillaged the whole village and seized all the valuables. I registered myself in the 153rd Regiment in Iresenson. A few days later, I was sent to a post at the front. There I took advantage of the first opportunity and I had escaped to the Turkish side. I believe it is my duty to express once more my gratitude to the Turkish officers and soldiers for the hospitality they extended to me."

Signature
Otto Fensher

Archive No : 1/2
Cabin No : 178
Drawer No : l
File No : 373
Section No : 1484
Index No : 10-7

Ministry of Interior
Directorate General of Security
Section

Copy of the Coded Telegram from the Provincial Authority of Adana dated February 26, 1915

Three Armenians known as "School Teacher" Abraham from Adana and Artin and Bedros from Dortyol escaped to an enemy warship in the Dortyol region on February 12, 1915. For this reason, I went to Erzi. I took the necessary measures and gave my orders. One of our patrol units apprehended a man named Agop from Dortyol in the marshes in the same region on February 24, 1915. The people whose names were given by the said person were rounded up. According to the said person's statement, the few traitors who cannot live in peace in Turkey are armed and ready to act, and they could have killed many Turks. According to this statement, they were assigned the mission of informing the enemy warship of the strength and number of the army units in the region and whether or not they had cannons. Those who were actually involved in this conspiracy and also the suspects were arrested and the necessary measures were taken. According to an official letter from the township authority, on February 25, 1915, one of our patrol units found a mirror which had red glass in the middle which was from a signal lamp in the marshes near the Piyas point of Azirli Village on the railway 35 kilometres section to Adana. For this reason, 1 telephoned Avni Bey, the Commander of the Gendarmerie Regiment in Osmaniye and I also communicated with the commandant in Erzin. I told him that it was necessary to relocate all the Armenians in Dortyol to Osmaniye, Ceyhan and Adana so that no Armenians would remain in that region. I also submit, for your information, my written orders that those who were arrested in the town of Hacin for posting placards of the Hinchak Committee urging the people to revolt against the Government, be sent to the Central Township to be tried by the Martial Law Tribunal and that the necessary measures be taken there.

Archive No : 1/1
Cabin No : 101
Drawer No : 2
File No : 13
Section No : 63
Index No : 2

Ministry of Interior
Directorate General of Security
Section:
No: 168 Secret

To the Acting Supreme Commander of the Ottoman Army Secret

Enclosure: 1

Your Highness.
Enclosed please find a copy of the telegram from the Provincial Authority of Adana, which is dated February 26, 1915 and concerns the Armenians in Dortyol. Your highness has the authority to give orders in this regard.

February 27, 1915
Minister of the Interior
Signature (Talat)

M/8727
28 Dated M-A-I

Serious measures should be
firmly taken regarding
those who were arrested

Section 1/28 Dated
Branch 2 15-12-C

M / Section 1/3502

To be communicated to the 4th Army Command

Archive No : 1/1
Cabin No : 101
Drawer No : 2
File No : 13
Section No : 63
Index No : 2-1

 

Section: l
Division: 2
Hasankale
April 14, 1915

To the Acting Supreme Command

Coded Telegram

l . The detailed report dated March 27, 1915 which was received from the Acting Command of the l0th Army Corps indicated that an insurgent organization was secretly set up in the Province of Sivas by the Armenian Tashnak Society with the principal aim of creating unrest behind the battle lines of the Ottoman Army so a.; to facilitate the enemy operations and that the members of this organization were armed with various weapons.

2. Necessary orders were issued to the provincial authority and the army corps acting command to take the measures that would never give any chance of action at a critical time in the future ro those who have yet dared to create a serious and general revolt as well as to conclusively crush all incidents before they had spread.

Signature (Yusuf Cemaleddin)
Signature (Izzet Sarni)
Signature (Mahmut Kamil)

Written April 15, 1915

Archive No : 4-3671
Cabin No : 231
Drawer No : 2
File No : 2820
Section No : A-69
Index No : 3

 
Telegram No: 1000

Decoded Message from Kazim Bey, Commander of the Van Mobile Gendarmerie Division, Received on April 29, 1915

Very important and urgent

This coded message includes the following remarks of the Central Telegram Director of' Erzurum:

To First Aide-de-camp Bedi Bey:

This coded message dated 24 has just been received from Sivas. The fifth and sixth articles were not in written form. The cause of the delay should be investigated. "The fifth and sixth articles do not exist in the original copy but the meaning is not irrelevant."

Signature (Not clear)

1. Yesterday, a strong enemy division advanced to the vicinity of Kotor Pass. I believe the enemy, informed of the Armenian uprising, intends to occupy Kotor and dispatch strong bands from there to the interior.

2. It is certain that all the Armenian bands in Iran, taking advantage of the Armenian uprising in the interior, will attempt to infiltrate into the Province of Van.

3. A telegram just received from the Mobilized Forces Command orders the dispatch of adequate forces under the command of the Governor of Van to crush the uprising. Actually, I had already sent massive forces to Van before receiving this order, including the cannons here and at the Kotor Detachment as well as a battalion of soldiers. At present there is a 1000-man force stationed in the vicinity of Deyir and the Kotor Detachment consists of 700 men. In line with your instructions these forces, with the assistance of the regular troops, will try to prevent the bands in Iran from infiltrating into the country.

4. It has been reported that some tribes united and took joint action against the Nasturis revolting in Colemerik Township. Even though some tribes are being sent to Sitak Township, no reliable information has been received from there since April 15. In general, it is possible to subdue the rebels in the districts of Hivasor, Timar and Ebecik. Clashes in Van still continue. The forces I sent from here have been taking part in the clashes in Van since yesterday.

5. Mobilized Forces concludes that the Mobile Gendarmerie Division, although already weakened as a result of the delay in Rumya and the continuing rebellion, would fight without any assistance from the Mobilized Forces. Last night, instructions were asked for to expedite the action.

6. Today, a clash took place with an enemy cavalry unit advancing from Kohnesehir in the direction of Deyir and the enemy cavalry retreated.

7. The telegram was sent from Deyir to "Semdniyan" and from there it was to be delivered to the Derbent Telegram Center of the Province of Mousul, to be sent to your command from the said place.

April 24, 1915
Section: 1/17 Dated 30
Branch: 1

Archive No : 4-3671
Cabin No : 231
Drawer No : 2
File No : 2820
Section No : A-69
Index No : 3-71

Holdwater: Point 4 refers to the Nestorians, who were revolting. These would be the Assyrians, who also have jumped aboard the genocide bandwagon, and are playing innocent.

 
Minutes of the Interrogation

An unidentified army deserter was apprehended today at around 8 o'clock by Gendarmerie soldier Mehmet Nuri from Maden, while hiding underneath the "Kantaralar" bridge on the Hamervan watercourse and taken to the Rumkapi Police Station. When asked to identify himself, the suspect said that he was Hagop, son of Karabet, that he was 38 years-old and from the Armenian community in Fatihpasa Quarters, that he worked as a metal caster, and that he was an army deserter. Since he used to work as a metal caster, he was told of the not completed bombs recently seized by government forces in the Armenian houses and asked if he knew who had manufactured those bombs. He was also asked about the number of bombs manufactured, the whereabouts of the remaining bombs and whether he had made them. In his statement before all those undersigned, he said that he manufactured twenty bombs made of bronze upon an order placed by Karabet, a dealer in cauldrons at the Sipahi Bazaar who 15 or 20 years ago had been a tinsmith. He said that he had delivered the bombs to cauldron-maker Hagop in Seymut Quarters and added that even though there were some Armenian committees there, he could neither remember nor identify them. He noted that the aforementioned Hagop had gone to America a few years ago and that Ahpar ("friend" in Armenian) Hagop, one of Hagop's cousins, a cauldron-maker at the Kazancilar Bazaar, was currently residing at the above-mentioned house. He stated that he believed the said bombs might still be at the above-mentioned house. The suspect also said that he used the wooden mold made by Ohan, a merchant at the Yilancilar Bazaar, to manufacture the bombs and that the son of Hagop the tinsmith also from Kazancilar Bazaar came to him with a bomb one day. The suspect stated that he had drilled a "hole" for the fuse and that Hagop's son had inserted it. He said that he did not know the name of Hagop's son and that he had no other information to give. Then, the minutes of the interrogation were written and read to the suspect. The document was certified by the undersigned after the suspect had confirmed and signed it.

May 27, 1915

Suspect
Signature
(Not clear)

Gendarmerie
Private
Signature
(Mehmet Nuri
from Maden)

Gendarmerie
Private
Signature
(Mahmut)

Military Police
Signature
(Tevfik)

Police Officer
Signature
(Mahmut
Hilmi)

Police
Officer
Signature
(Muhiddin)

Assistant Police
Commissioner of Rumkapi
Signature
(Recep)

Archive No : 5 920
Cabin No : 27
Drawer No : 5
File No : 4608
Section No : 6
Index No : 1-1

CABLE
OTTOMAN GOVERNMENT TELEGRAPH ADMINISTRATION
Hour: 7 PM
Minute: 10
Origin: Headquarters
No delivered: 125

Very Urgent. War Cable.
Not to be delayed even for a minute.

To the Third Army Command in Tortum

1. As I have already informed you today by cable, three representatives who came to us last night delivered the following letter in Armenian from the rebels. "To the District Authority of Sarki Karahisar and Special Forces Command, We have received the letter sent by Mercanyan Nisan and Baron Vartinyan Antranik. We would like to thank you for promising that no harm will be done if we surrender voluntarily. All the people are ready lo surrender. Some of the armed militants also share this view of the people. Although some do not wish to surrender, we will try to persuade them. Hopefully, we will manage to persuade everyone by tomorrow or the day after and act in accordance with the Government's offer. Meanwhile, we must point out that those who are not convinced yet are not opposing the Government but merely fear for their lives. For this reason, we kindly ask for more assurance, although there is no need for further discussions on this matter. Being convinced that a declaration of amnesty in the first place would be an unforgettable and great favor for the country as well as this unlucky nation, we kindly request your assistance in solving this problem.
July 2, 1915
K Self Defence Council"

2. Upon receiving this letter of the rebels, and considering that only parts of 682's and 497's will be able to arrive until tomorrow or the day after, we have written the following letter:

"To all Armenians in the citadel,

We have received your letter dated July 2, 1915. We have already informed you that all armed as well as unarmed people must surrender in order to prevent further incidents and to bring to a satisfactory end the Karahisar incident that occurred against the wishes of the government and angered the people. Since we think that the annihilation of thousands of women, children and innocent people is incompatible with governmental justice and humanity, we have given guarantees and assurances regarding the lives of the peaceful and the innocent who are in the majority. We have also informed you, that ending the unrest and surrendering as won as possible would be in your and all the Armenians' benefit. With the hope that you appreciate the situation and the interest on the Armenian nation, you will be allowed until 5 o'clock tomorrow to decide. Naturally, the Sultan's amnesty will not be possible in a couple of days. The decision of an amnesty will be made following the restoration of law and order. With the aim of protecting a nation of the Ottoman Empire, we declare once again that the government will exert every possible effort to immediately accommodate you all and to compensate your losses as much as possible following the surrender of arms as had been previously specified.
July 2, l915

Acting Governor of Karahirar
Ahmet

Commander of the Special Forces Lieutenant General
Neset

Archive No : 4-3671
Cabin No : 231
Drawer No : 4
File No : 2835
Section No : 127
Index No : 3-61

Coded Message July 22, 1915

To the Acting Supreme Command

l . Since the last part of the Armenian rebellion in Karahisar has been completely suppressed, only the Second Girerun Mobile Gendarmerie Battalion remained in the town to maintain law and order and three battalions of special forces consisting of trainees were sent to Erzurum.

2. Upon reports that over 300 Armenians had assembled in the rocky area known as Kale near Kizileyin Village in Ordu's Ulubey Township with the aim of launching raids, the gendarmerie forces in the vicinity went to this assembly place and began engaging in clashes. As a result, eight rebels were killed and the support forces are pursuing the remaining bandits.

3. The Acting Command of the 11th Army Corps reported that the Christians in Midyar are rebelling and that they have already started clashing with the Gendarmerie forces.

4. Reliable sources reported that Bedirhani Abdurrcuak who is leading certain Kurds and Armenians, is instigating the loyal Kurds in the vicinity of Sitak, Sirnak and Pervari against the Government and that he has sent a message to the Cizre tribes asking them to join his forces. Upon this, the Provincial Authority of Diyarbakir reported that the Mobile Gendarmerie Battalion in Midyat was sent to Sirnak to pursue Abdurrezrak. Meanwhile, there was a request for about 4,000 rifles to arm the loyal population and 2,000 high-power Mauser rifles left by the 36th Division in Diyarhakir were ordered hy the Provincial Authority.

Written
July 23, 1915

Mahmut Kamil

Archive No : 4-3671
Cabin No : 231
Drawer No : 4
File No : 2835
Section No : 127
Index No : 3-84, 3-85


Holdwater: Note certain Kurdish tribes also served as trouble for the Ottomans, during this dangerous war.

35088
No: 3170

Decoded Message Dated August 4, 1915 from Pertev Bey. Acting Commander of the 10th Army Corps in Sivas

Arrival 4/5

Upon reports received late last night to the effect that 10 armed Armenians took shelter in a house in Niksar, it was revealed that the house was surrounded by the gendarmerie and drill-ground detachment. In addition, a girl who was amongst the rebels was wounded by a shot fired by the rebels while surrendering. Later on, a fire broke out in the house and five houses were burned. Meanwhile, seven rebels who attempted to escape were killed and three rebels burned to death. Presented for your information based on local reports.

Section: l / 4 Dated
Branch: 1

Archive No : 4-3671
' Cabin No : 231
Drawer No : 4
File No : 2835
Section No : 127
Index No : 4-31

 
Ottoman Government
Ministry of Postal, Telegraphic and Telephone Services

Branch: 115266
Date: September 29, 1915
Hour: 6.00 PM.
Minute: 45
Origin: Urfa
No: 7.923
Words: 150

Hour: 5.00 P.M.
Official Copy

Very Important and Urgent

To the Ministry of the Interior

A supplement to the previous telegram. Shots were fired in the morning from a few houses and now it is evening and there are fierce clashes occurring throughout the Armenian quarters. Gendarmerie forces are unable to advance because of the strategic location of the said quarters and the strongly built houses in which they are taking shelter. The number of wounded has risen to six and one of the wounded has died. It has just been reported that they attacked all the Moslem houses in their quarters and murdered them. According to the clothing and Mauser rifles belonging to a few apprehended bandits, it is evident that the Armenian gangs entered the town from time to time. They use the worst profanity every time they shoot. Even if the gendarmerie forces are doubled, the result won't be successful. Therefore, we kindly ask you to give the necessary orders for the urgent dispatch of a military force along with artillery weapons, if possible.

September 29, 1915
Section: l / Dated 30

On behalf of the District Governor
of Urfa, the Accountant
Signature (Nazrni)
Branch: 2/17-7 A

Archive No : 1-131
Cabin No : 219
Drawer No : 2
File No : 2287
Section No : 11
Index No : 4-13