From: dbd@urartu.sdpa.org (David Davidian)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.turkish,talk.politics.mideast,talk.politics.soviet,soc.history
Subject: U.S. Consular Report of the Turkish Genocide of the Armenians 1/5
Summary: United States Archive Record Group 59
Date: 14 Aug 92 05:04:21 GMT
Organization: S.D.P.A. Center for Regional Studies


The following is a chronological series of postings taken directly from U.S. 
Consular telegrams, eyewitness reports describing the Turkish genocidal 
destruction of the Armenians in the Harput-Elazig region of east central 
Anatolia. 

There were never any Russian army units in Mamuret-ul-Aziz (Harput), never any
Russian Armenian generals, no Georgians, no Azeri military units, nor Armenian
soldiers from the Turkish army, nothing to base Turkish governmental-sponsored 
revisionism on, etc., etc., just massive exterminations of Armenian men, 
women, and children.

The Armenian people claim recognition, reparations, and the return of land
from the Republic of Turkey, as the price of this genocide.

- - -				Part 1/5				- - -

Honorable Henry Morgenthau		American Consulate
American Ambassador			Mamouret-ul-Aziz (Harput), Turkey
Constantinople				June 30, 1915

Sir:

I have the honor to report to the Embassy about one of the most severest 
measures ever taken by any government and one of the greatest tragedies in
all history. If the Embassy had not already learned about it from other
sources, my telegrams of June 27th and 28th and my brief dispatch of June 29th
will have brought the matter to the attention of the Embassy.

The attention of the Embassy has been called, in previous dispatches from this
Consulate, to the very critical situation here. My dispatches of April 19th,
May 5th and June 2nd (File No. 840.1) referred to the general conditions and
the fears of the people that a massacre is being planned. I have reported in
frequent dispatches the hostile attitude of the local authorities during the
last few months toward the American missionaries and the complete interruption
of all work in the American schools (File No. 360). In my dispatch of June 
12th (File No. 300) I spoke of the actual danger in which the American
missionaries in this part of Turkey are now placed and in my cipher dispatch
of June 24th (File No. 300/840.1/703) I gave some further details of what has
been happening here.

As stated in some of the above mentioned dispatches, a revolutionary movement
on the part of some Armenians was discovered and severe measures were taken to
check it. These were undertaken in a wholesale matter, little distinction
being made between people who were entirely innocent and those who were
suspected of being participants in the movement. Practically every male 
Armenian of any consequence at all here has been arrested and put into prison.
A great many of them were subjected to the most cruel tortures under which
some of them died. Several hundred of the leading Armenians were sent away at
night and it seems to be clearly established that most, if not all, of them
were killed. Last week there were well founded rumors of a threatened 
massacre. I think there is very little doubt that one is planned.

Another method was found, to destroy the Armenian race. This is no less than
the deportation of the entire Armenian population, not only from this Vilayet,
but, I understand, from all six Vilayets comprising Armenia. There are said to 
be about sixty thousand Armenians in this Vilayet and about a million in the
six Vilayets. All of these are to be sent into exile; an undertaking greater,
probably, than anything of the kind in all history. For several days last week
there were rumors of this but it seemed incredible.

On Saturday, June 28th, it was publicly announced that all Armenians and
Syrians [Assyrians of the Armenian Apostolic faith] were to leave after five 
days. The towns of Mamouret-ul-Aziz and the city of Harput were divided into
districts and notice was given at each house of the day when the occupants 
must leave. Two days are given for Mamouret-ul-Aziz, July 1st and third. Three
days are given for Harput, July 4th, 5th and 6th. In these two towns, supposed
to contain a population of about 40,000, there are no less than 15,000 or
18,000 Armenians, or at least three thousand families. There are as many more
in the neighboring villages and these are to leave a few days later.

The full meaning of such an order can scarcely be imagined by those who are 
not familiar with the peculiar conditions of this isolated region. A massacre,
however horrible the word may sound, would be humane in comparison with it. In
a massacre many escape but a wholesale deportation of this kind in this 
country means a lingering and perhaps even more dreadful death for nearly 
every one. I do not believe it possible for one in a hundred to survive, 
perhaps not one in a thousand.

The alleged destination of those sent from here is Urfa, but I know very well
this does not mean the city of Urfa. It may mean the Mesopotamia plain to the
southwest of that city, a region almost uninhabitable for man or beast.
Whatever the destination may be, the journey from here in that direction at
this season of the year is very difficult for one who has made careful 
preparations and travels by wagon. It is for the most part an extremely hot
plain in which there s very little water or vegetation. There are places where
there is no water at all during an entire day's journey by wagon. A crowd of
women and children on foot will, of course, require several days to traverse
the same distance. They cannot go from from here to Urfa in less than fifteen
or twenty days. There are only two towns and two or three small villages on
this route. It would be impossible to find in these villages food for more 
than twenty or thirty people and there will be days when neither food nor
water can be obtained. People on foot cannot carry enough food or water on
their backs to last them between towns. Under the most favorable conditions
the journey is a very fatiguing one (I am speaking from experience, as I have
traversed that route twice last summer on my attempted trip to America and my
return to Harput). For people traveling as these Armenians who are going into
exile will be obliged to travel it is certain death for by far the greater
part of them.

It must be borne in mind that wagons and horses are practically unavailable.
There are probably not more than twenty-five wagons that can be found for the
five or six thousand families who are leaving from this immediate locality.
There are several hundred ox-carts and quite a good many small donkeys, while
some people are planning to take a cow on which to carry a little food and a
blanket or two. This represents every available means of transportation in
this region at the present time. There are not nearly enough animals of any
kind to enable each family to have one and it is obvious that nearly every one
will have to travel on foot. A few of the more fortunate families will have an
animal or two on which the women and children can take turns riding, but there
will be many cases where a mother with a babe in arms and several small
children, and no husband, will have no animal at all.

The fate of these people can readily be imagined. The method is perhaps a
little more cultured than a massacre but it it will be far more effective and
thorough. It is quite probable that many of them will be robbed and murdered
en route as the roads are now filled with bands of pillaging Kurds. I asked
the Vali the other day what measures were being taken for the protection of 
these people. He replied that there would be plenty of gendarmes with them as 
to avoid a repetition of the fate which had befallen the prisoners who had 
been sent away from here before, and added that they had met some Kurds who 
had treated them rather unpleasantly. There is little doubt that these Kurds 
had been engaged to dispose of them. Many think, and it is by no means 
improbable, that the same fate is being prepared for those who are now 
leaving. It is quite possible that the men may be killed, the more attractive 
women carried off as slaves, and the other women and children left to perish 
in the desert. In any case, it is quite certain that almost all will die in 
one way or another before they ever reach their destination.

One thing that increases the doubt about their safe arrival anywhere is that
quite a good many people who have been deported from Erzurum and Erzincan
have been expected here, but with the exception of one small party from the
latter place, none have arrived as yet, while there have been many rumors
that the parties have been attacked and killed by Kurds. Money has been sent
here from different ones but no one of them has ever appeared to claim it.

Another bad omen is that the Vali has refused permission for any Americans to
accompany the parties leaving here. Some of the missionaries decided that they
would like to go with them in order to be of assistance to those who might
need help. On Sunday, the 27th, I called on the Vali about this and other
matters. This request he refused absolutely saying it could not be granted but
that after people reached their destination the Americans might then join them
if they wished. As probably very few, if any, of them will ever reach their
destination this was a safe offer. If it were intended to give these people a
safe-conduct to any place there would probably be no objection to the
Americans accompanying them. On the other hand, as the roads are decidedly
unsafe now, it may be the Vali did not want to take the responsibility of
allowing the Americans to risk their lives on the way. Or, perhaps, the Vali's
suggestion that the Americans might join these people later was an intimation
that the missionaries also may be invited to leave in the near future.

In my telegrams of June 27th and 28th and in a telegram from Mr. Riggs to Mr.
Peet on the 28th we spoke of the need for relief at the destination and I
suggested asking aid from America. To what extent it may be possible to aid
these people and how it can be done is a problem. There is greater danger 
that they may nearly all be killed or allowed to perish en route. If they
arrive anywhere it is still doubtful if they will be within communication. My
opinion is that the few who survive the journey will be taken to some remote
part of the Mesopotamian plain many days' journey from Urfa or any other town.
Should they be within reach of Urfa relief might be arranged through our
Consulate at Aleppo. In any case, there is going to be terrible suffering and
great need to help among those who survive the journey. Those who were
formerly rich and the poor will alike be destitute. If any possible measures
can be taken for their relief I feel that now is the time to begin.

It is impossible for me to give any adequate idea of the panic in this
locality that has resulted from the announcement of this order of expulsion.
The people have been given four to six days to dispose of everything they have
and leave. For the merchants to wind up their affairs in that short time is
difficult. It is also difficult for householders to dispose of their household
and personal effects. The result has been a panic such has never been known 
here or in a few other places. Every one who is obliged to leave is trying to
get together a little money to take on the journey. The Turks are, of course,
taking advantage of the situation to get things at practically nothing.
Robbery and looting were never undertaken in a more wholesale manner. Turkish
men and Turkish women are entering the houses of all the Armenians and taking
things at almost any price. As nearly half the population are leaving they 
have to take what they can get. This is rarely more than five or ten per cent,
of the value. All the furniture in a house, costing originally one or two
hundred pounds will be sold for ten or fifteen pounds. Rugs that cost five or
ten pounds will be sold for fifty or seventy-five piasters. The people are
glad to get anything at all for their merchandise or effects. The streets are
full of camels carrying off the loot and of rich Turks and Turkish women 
dressed in their finest gowns, who are making a holiday of the occasion. The
scene reminds one of a lot of hungry vultures hovering over the remains of
those who have fallen by the way.

The difficulty for people to get ready to leave at such short notice was so
great that on Tuesday six of us, comprising practically the entire male
population of the town, called on the Vali unofficially to inquire if it would
be possible to have a greater length of time given the people before leaving.
He received us very courteously but said that was impossible. We did succeed,
however, in having a clear understanding that we could help the people in
certain ways. The Vali said that there as no objection to our buying things
from them or having them leave their money in out care. The Kaimakam has 
interfered in carrying out this purpose, but on the whole we have been able to
do quite a good deal. The Missionaries have also tried to furnish the people
with medicine and other useful articles for their journey and some of the
poorer and needier ones have been given some cash.

During the last three days crowds of people have visited the Consulate and the
American Mission for help of some kind. Many have wanted financial assistance,
while others have wanted to leave things in our care. They have brought money,
documents, jewelry, furniture, and many other things. I have taken documents
and some money, while the missionaries have taken much more than I have.
Some have left money to be paid in any case to relatives in America, but most
have left it on condition that if nothing is heard from them in four or six
months it is then to be sent to their relatives. I have never seen a more
pathetic or tragic scene. All feel that they are going to certain death and
they have good reason to feel that way. Their confidence in the American
missionaries and in the Consulate is touching. Some of them don't even want to
count the money they are leaving. They hand over the savings of a lifetime
with the simple request that if they are not heard from after a few months to
send their money if possible to their relatives.

All the real estate belonging to the Armenians will be confiscated by the
Government. Many people will be unable to dispose of their personal property
and will probably walk out leaving their houses and stores with all their
contents. Those who have made fortunes will lose everything. Some will, of
course, take a moderate mount of money with them, but all fear being robbed
and very few will dare take much money with them. For those who are feeble and
have no money at all, it is a question what will become of them. The 
Government has offered to furnish donkeys for them, but charges an enormous
price per day for every donkey. A man who starts out with only one or two
liras will find after a few days that all his money is gone and will be
absolutely stranded.

The effect industrially and commercially of the expulsion of the Armenians
from this region is going to throw it back in the middle ages. It is 
officially stated that ninety per cent of the trade and of the business 
carried on through the banks is that of Armenians. Business of all kind will 
now be destroyed beyond the possibility of its being restored. In some trades 
there will be no mechanics or workmen at all. It is difficult to understand 
how those Turks who have had any taste of civilization at all will be able to
live unless exceptions are made and there does not seem to be any indication
of that. There will be no banks, no Christian schools, no Christian churches.
With one stroke the country is set back two three [sic] hundred years. The 
same will be true of Diyarbakir and of all other parts of this consular 
district.

There is no doubt in my mind that all American Missionaries will be obliged
to leave. It will not surprise me at all if they are ordered to go but
whether they are expelled or not there will be nothing for them to do here.
The labors of the missionaries at Harput, which have continued during more
than sixty years, have to come to an end and I see no way in which they will 
be able to continue their work here.

With the destruction of all business and the departure of the of Missionaries,
there will be no object in maintaining a consular either here or at Diyarbakir
or in any other part of this region. There is greater danger that I may lose
at this time two indispensable employees, both of whom have been with the 
Consulate for mote than ten years, but they are both Armenian, I have asked
the Vali to allow them to remain, but the only promise he would give me was
that they would not be obliged to go with the first lot. He said they could
remain here for a few days and in the meantime he would ask for instructions
from Constantinople about them. In my telegram of June 28th, I asked the
Embassy to request exemption for them, but I don't believe my telegram ever
reached the Embassy.

In my telegram of June 27th, I asked the Embassy to wire me also if it would
be possible to secure exemption for the naturalized American citizens who are
here. I spoke to the Vali about this at once but he has been very evasive. I
hope to receive some reply from the Embassy in time, if it is going to be
possible to save any of these people and their children. There are women whose
husbands are naturalized American citizens and are now in America, while they
have returned here for a short time to visit relatives. There are several of
those and nearly all of them have children with them who were born in America.
I shall certainly do everything possible to save these.

Tomorrow the exodus of one-half of the population of this region commences.
Were there people not so entirely subdued I should expect to see some stirring
scenes. Ad it is, I can hardly think it possible that the authorities will
succeed in sending everyone into exile, but a yet there does not seem to be
any sign of their relenting or of their granting many exemptions.

						I have the honor to be, Sir,
						Your obedient servant,
						signed
						Leslie A. Davis,
						Consul

Source: U.S. National Archives. D.S. Record Group 59, Dec. File No. 867.4016/
269. Refer to _The Slaughterhouse Province, An American Diplomat's Report on
the Armenian Genocide, 1915-1917_, Published by Aristide D. Caratzas, 1989,
ISBN: 0-89241-458-8

Ermeniler Adalet Istiyor! ........................  Armenians Demand Justice!


-- 
David Davidian dbd@urartu.sdpa.org "It has been ever thus in all things, son, 
SDPA Center for Regional Studies    Whatever we thrash we give to the wind, 
P.O. Box 382761                     We too have been blown by the world's wind
Cambridge, MA 02238                 The chaff is gone but the grain remains." 
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