The following correspondence by Sir Layard to Marquis of Salisbury indicates some agents were employed for creating rebellion “amongst Armenians in different parts of Asia Minor”, despite Armenians “have been led to believe that … they will be exposed to ill-treatment and outrages on the part of the Mussulmans, and especially the Kurds”, “Charges of cruelty and oppression on the part of the Mussulmans are either invented or greatly exaggerated, and the fears of the ignorant and timid Armenian population are excited by the propagation of all manner of alarming reports, whilst attempts are not wanting to bring about collisions with the authorities and between the Mussulmans and Christians which may give the pretext for Russian interference.”
Surely, British Consular functionary, Sir Layard must really be a Turk, Turkish agent, a Georgian, a self hating (sic) Jew or a denialist who received blood money from Turks for denying the first genocide (sic) of 20th century, about 35 years before this genuine and absolutely proven genocide of 1915.
And a Turk, a Turkish agent, a Georgian, a self-hating (sic) Jew, a denialist, Sir Layard states in the second correspondence what kind of measures are taken by Porte (government), which strangely enough out of blue staged a genocide on Armenians which they did their best to protect from Kurds.
The third correspondence is evidence of rebellious movements amongst Armenian communities of Ottoman Empire.
Anyway read yourself and let the truth be told.
No More Discrimination
No. 91
Sir A. H. Layard to the Marquis of Salisbury.
| (Extract.) | THERAPIA, September 16, 1878. (Received September 26.) |
I HAVE stated to your Lordship in previous despatches that from information which has reached me, from apparently trustworthy sources, there is reason to believe that Agents have been employed for some time past amongst the Armenians in different parts of Asia Minor with the object of producing discontent against the Turkish Government, and of inducing them to leave the country when the Russian forces are withdrawn from that part of Armenia occupied by them since the end of the war, and about to be restored to the Porte under the Treaty of Berlin.
The Armenians have been led to believe that as soon as they are no longer under the immediate protection of Russia they will be exposed to ill-treatment and outrages on the part of the Mussulmans, and especially the Kurds, and that the only means left of obtaining security for their property and lives is to pass into Russian territory.
There is no doubt that in consequence a considerable agitation exists amongst the Armenians in all parts of Turkey in Asia, which has been greatly increased by telegrams from Erzeroum and elsewhere describing in very exaggerated language the ill-treatment to which the Christians are already subjected, and the danger to which they are exposed from the Kurds who, it is asserted, are preparing to massacre them as the Russians evacuate the city. It is stated that a general panic prevails amongst the Christians in Armenia, and that a large number of them have already crossed the Russian frontiers, and that still more are preparing to follow them. I have had many representations on the subject from influential Armenians, including the Patriarch and several functionaries of the Porte.
Charges of cruelty and oppression on the part of the Mussulmans are either invented or greatly exaggerated, and the fears of the ignorant and timid Armenian population are excited by the propagation of all manner of alarming reports, whilst attempts are not wanting to bring about collisions with the authorities and between the Mussulmans and Christians which may give the pretext for Russian interference.
Although the events which are occurring in Armenia, and the danger to the Armenian population when the Russian troops retire, are probably very much exaggerated with the object that I have described, there is, at the same time, the most urgent necessity that the Porte should take immediate and effective measures to maintain order in the country, and to ensure proper protection to all classes of the population as soon as the Turkish authorities and troops replace those of Russia. I took occasion this morning to urge upon the Grand Vizier, as strongly as I was able, that such measures should be adopted without loss of time. I pointed out to him the serious consequences that would inevitably ensue if a massacre of Christians took place after the Russian army had withdrawn, or if they were the victims of outrages on the part of the Kurds or others. The public feeling of Europe would be again excited against Turkey, who would be held responsible for all that might occur, and her enemies would again avail themselves of the opportunity to denounce the Turkish Government as incapable of governing Christians with justice, and to accuse it of deliberately aiming at their extermination. Under such circumstances, and in the event of an insurrection in Armenia, the Porte could hope for no help nor sympathy from Her Majesty’s Government in opposition to public opinion.
Safvet Pasha professed himself fully alive to the dangers that I had described, and declared emphatically that it was the firm intention of the Porte to put into execution the measures which the Sultan had indicated to me, viz., the appointment of a High Commissioner to assist in the administration of the province, and to watch especially over the safety of the Christians; the nomination of an Armenian of position and influence to act with him; and the proclamation of martial law and the establishment of a tribunal to deal summarily with crimes and offences against Christians and others. He mentioned the names of several Armenian functionaries at the Porte who might be employed as Assistant Commissioner; but he had not made up his mind as to the choice of the person.
I would venture to suggest that no time should now be .lost in either sending back Consul Zohrab to Armenia, or naming a new Consul in his place. The presence of a British Consul always acts as a check upon the Turkish authorities, and as a protection to the Christians. It is now urgently requked at this moment at Erzeroum, or at Erzinghian, if the seat of Government is to be at the latter place. It is also essential that Her Majesty’s Government should be fully and accurately informed as to all that is passing in Armenia.
Turkey No. 53 (1878), p. 201-202, No. 214No. 92
Sir A. H. Layard to the Marquis of Salisbury.
| My Lord, | THERAPIA, September 16, 1878. (Received September 26.) |
I HAVE the honour to inclose copy of a telegram addressed to me by the Armenian Archbishop of Erzeroum and the Presidents of certain Councils in that city, informing me that in consequence of the approaching departure of the Russians a panic reigns amongst the Christians, who fear that the Mussulmans will ill-treat them, and who ask for protection and help. Also copies of letters to me from the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople and the Minister of the United States forwarding to me telegrams from Erzeroum referring to the same subject.
I have communicated these documents to Safvet Pasha, and have urged upan him the importance of taking immediate steps for securing the lives and property of the Christians of Armenia, and of restoring confidence to them. His Highness has given me the most distinct assurances that measures will be adopted without delay with these objects. It is the intention of the Porte his Highness stated to me this morning, to send at once a Commissioner or high officer of the Porte as a kind of political Agent, an office which formerly existed in the Turkish Pashalics, to deal with questions connected with the condition and complaints of the populations. Ali Kemali Pasha will probably be appointed to this post. He will, I trust, be accompanied by an Armenian of influence and position, who will act as Assistant Commissioner, or in some such capacity, according to a promise made to me by the Sultan. It is further the intention of the Porte to proclaim “the state of siege” in the province, and to establish a Tribunal which will deal summarily with crimes and outrages committed against Christians, and punish their authors. I have strongly impressed upon Safvet Pasha the necessity of selecting for the functionaries about to be sent to Armenia, and for the members of the proposed Tribunal, upright, impartial, and capable men, in order that the Armenians may be convinced that they are to be dealt with justly and liberally, and may rely upon receiving, in case of need, protection and redress. His Highness declared himself resolved to take this course, and to give every satisfaction to the Christians.
Safvet Pasha expressed his opinion that the statements contained in the telegrams which I showed him were very much exaggerated, and that the fears of the Armenians were unfounded, and had been purposely excited with the object of inducing them to migrate into Russia. It is probable that such may be the case to a certain extent; but as there is no doubt that when the Russians occupied Erzeroum the Armenians availed themselves of the protection which they received to molest, ill-treat, and insult the Mahommedan population, it is not unnatural that on the departure of their protectors the Mussulmans should seek to revenge themselves. On this account it is especially necessary that the Porte and the local authorities should lose no time in adopting measures to prevent the outrages and excesses which the Kurds especially may be disposed to commit upon the Christians, to maintain order, and to guarantee security for life and property. I have impressed this most urgently upon the Grand Vizier and the Sultan himself.
I have, &c
(Signed) A. H. LAYARD.
Turkey No. 53 (1878), p. 198, No. 213No.93
Sir A. H. Layard to the Marquis of Salisbury.
No. 1141.| My Lord, | THERAPIA, September 16, 1878. (Received September 26.) |
I HAVE the honour to inclose a translation of an article from an Armenian newspaper, the “Michag,” or “Workman,” published at Tiflis, and largely circulated, I am informed, amongst the Armenians in Turkey. Its object, as your Lordship will observe, is to lead the Armenians to distrust England, and to look solely to Russia for protection, and to incite them against the Turkish Government.
I have, &c.
(Signed) A. H. LAYARD.
F. 0. 424/74, p. 309, No. 495Inclosure in No. 93
Extract from the “Michag.”
(Traduction.)QUE FAIT L’ANGLE TERRE A PRESENT—Le télégramme nous a transmis aujourd’hui la nouvelle de l’insurrection des Arméniens de ZéItoun contre le Gouvernement Turc. L’insurrection a donc enveloppé toute la Turquie comme les flammes d’un inceiidie: l’Epire, la Thessalie, l’Albanie, la Bosnie, l’Arménie, sont toutes en ébullition et en désordres.
On est force de se demander aujord’hui ce que doit faire l’Angleterre qui, par la force de la Convention secrete qu’elle a faite avec la Turquie, a entrepris la responsabilité difficile de conserver l’intégrité de la Turquie.
Est-ce que le but de cette Convention serait de proteger la Turquie contre les ennemis de dehors, ou bien 1’Angleterre s’est-elIe engagée par cette Convention a protéger le Gouvernement Ottoman contre les insurrections et les désordres intérieurs?
Dans le premier cas, l’Angleterre aurait fait voir que par suite des nécessités de sa politique intéressée en Orient, elle voulait empécher Ia Russie de faire en Asie des conquêtes futures; dans le second cas, l’Angleterre en se démasquant complétement aurait donné a entendre que son unique et principal but est de s’unir au Mahornétanisme pour étouffer et anéantir le Christianisrne en Orient.
D’aucuns pensent que ccci est impossible. Est-ce qu’un Gouvernement Chrétien, est-ce qu’une nation Chrétienne et éclairée comme l’Angleterre pourrait desirer l’anCantissement des éléments Chrétiens en Asie?
Maiheureusement l’histoire de la domination Anglaise aux Indes prouve que ce sentiment humain est possible en Asie Mineure surtout par rapport a l’Arménie.
Est-ce que l’Angleterre a travaillé a répandre I Christianisme dans le pays des Indes, est-ce qu’il n’a pas été plus opportun et plus favorable a son Gouvérnement et a son pouvoir illimité et tyrannique aux Indes de laisser les Indiens dans le Paganisme?
Est-ce qu’il n’est pas plus convenable a I’Angleterre de régner en Arménie, si ces pays sont habités ou complètement deserts; cue est au contraire contente si die par des Turcs engourdis, indifférents, et paresseux?
Quand l’Angleterre fait la conquête de pays lointains, il lui est indifferent si ces pays sont habités ou complétement deserts; elle est au contraire contente si die n’y trouve pas des nations ayant une existence morale et inteilectuelle et des aptitudes a l’instruction. II faut a l’Angleterre des contrées, des terres, des richesses natureiles, forCts, des mines, et des eaux. Mais ii n’entre pas dans ses comptes qu’il y ait aussi des habitants Chrétiens tendant a une existence nationale.
L’Angleterre fait des chemins de fer et trace des routes en Arménie, mais que lui importe s’il ne reste en Arménie aucun Arménien, et s’il ne s’y trouve que des Kurdes et des Turcs? Et si ces derniers aussi disparaissent, l’Anglcterre n’en est pas plus embarrassée; die peut toujours faire habiter les contrées désertes par des Colonies Anglaises. Grace a Dieu, ii se trouve en Angleterre beaucoup d’hommes affamés qui convoitent l’émigration.
L’avenir prochain prouvera Si floUs pensons juste ou si nous sommes dans l’erreur.
Si 1’Angleterre entreprend de réprimer les sujets Chrétiens insurgés contre la Porte avec ses troupes Anglaises et ses troupes sauvages des Indes, ceci prouvera simplement quel était le but de l’Angleterre en protégeant I’intégrité de la Turquie d’Asie.
F. O. 424/74, p. 309-310, No 495/INo. 94
Sir A. H. Layard to the Marquis of Salisbury.
No. 844.| Telegraphic. | CONSTANTINOPLE, September 19, 1878. (Received September 20.) |
IMMEDIATELY after my audience of the Sultan on Saturday the most stringent orders were sent, in his name, to Ismail Hacki Pasha, ordering him to take every measure for the protection and security of Armenian Christians. Pasha has replied, giving the Porte every assurance that tranquillity prevails; that reports sent about excesses and anticipated massacres are unfounded and greatly exaggerated, and that he holds himself responsible for the safety of Christians. I have every reason to believe that there is a design to mislead Europe as to what is passing in Armenia, to incite Armenians against the authority of the Porte, and to cause a panic among them.
F. 0. 424/74, . 246, No. 388
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