Friday, February 12, 2010

Ottoman Government Sends Commissions to Inquire into Armenian Grievances


Ottoman Government Sends Commissions to Inquire into Armenian Grievances
Ottoman Government, which Dashnak (Nazi) Armenians claim to have staged a genocide on Armenians in 1915 and in relation with which Dashnak (Nazi) Armenians blame solely Turks and Republic of Turkey which was established in 1923, upon pressures of western powers due to incessant complaints of Armenian, decided to send commissions to Anatolia to inquire into complaints of Armenians. Commissions consisted of Armenians and Turkish officials of rank. Although denialist Sir Layard uses the word Armenia, he actually refers to eastern part of Anatolia which Armenians, despite being a few percent of the population, call it and western powers wish to be. Since Sir Layard pulls the names out of his noble ar*e, he uses Kurdistan for the same area in the next letter.
British consular functionaries pose their request to be included in such commission and Ottoman Government (which was called Porte back then) refuses such request since it will lead to the fact that the same privilege be requested by other foreign powers too. However, they silently green-light to unofficial attendance of British consular functionaries.
Sir Layard instruct another denialist Major Trotter to attend the commission unofficially.
Another aspect of these letters, despite in an attempt to demonize Turks, Dashnak (Nazi) Armenians claim that Turks (actually Ottomans) always persecuted them, they lived in misery, the letters clearly states the Armenian of the commission is high rank Armenians, a member of Council of State, which is the highest administrative court in the Ottoman Empire.
Anyway read yourself and let the truth be told.
No More Discrimination
No. 152
Sir A. H. Layard to the Marquis of Salisbury.
No. 82.
Telegraphic.
CONSTANTINOPLE, February 3, 1879
(Received February 4.)
PORTE has determined to send two Commissions, each composed of a Turkish and Armenian official of rank to Armenia and Asia Minor, to inquire into, and report upon, the condition of the country and the grievances of the Christians, a step most urgently required.
It woult be very desirable that some one on our part should accompany each Commission. Porte would not consent officially, as other Powers might demand same, but would not, I have reason to believe, object, if the matter were kept quiet.
With your sanction I will instruct Major Trotter to accompany the Commission in Southern Kurdistan, and I would suggest that Lieutenant Chermside should be with the other. He is no longer wanted at Gallipoli, and he is very intelligent, and gets on well with the people of the country. I know of nobody else equally qualified.
Russian Ambassador had addressed a note to the Porte, asking what has been and will be done with regard to Armenia in pursuance of stipulation of the Treaty of Berlin.
F. O. 424/80, p.32, No. 67
No. 153
Sir A. H. Layard to the Marquis of Salisbury.
No. 124.
My Lord,
CONSTANTINOPLE, February 3, 1879.
(Received February 17.)
THE Porte is about to send two Commissions into the Eastern parts of Asia Minor, and to Kurdistan, to inquire into the condition of the country, and into the grievances of the Christians.
Each Commission will be composed of a Turkish and Armenian functionary, who are to have equal rank. One, I understand, will visit the northern Armenian and Kurdish districts included in the Vilayets of Erzeroum and Van; the other, the southern, in the Provinces of Diarbekir and Aleppo.
I have asked Haireddin Pasha whether he has any objection to one of Her Majesty’s Consuls, or some other person specially appointed by me, accompanying both Commissions.
His Highness said that he would not have the slightest objection to it; indeed that he should very much approve of it, were it not that he was afraid of furnishing a pretext to other Powers to demand the same privilege. There would then be international Commissions accompanying the Turkish Commissioners, which might lead to very serious complications. Caratheodory Pasha, to whom I spoke on the subject, made the same observation. He added that the Russians were already preparing the way for getting up an Armenian question, which would, no doubt, be used in the same way as the Bulgarian question had been, as Prince Labanoff had addressed a note to the Porte asking to be informed of the measures it had taken, and intended to take, to carry out the stipulations of the Treaty of Berlin with respect to the Armenians.
I fully admitted the force of these objections, but I suggested that, without receiving any official recognition or sanction from the Turkish Government, an English officer might, as a single traveller, occasionally accompany the Turkish Commisioners. Although his Excellency did not actually assent, I was led to believe that no difficulty would be made to what I proposed. I shall, therefore, with your Lordship’s approval, instruct Major Trotter to find himself with the Commission which may visit the Province of Diarbekir, without, however, claiming any official connection with it, and avoiding as much as possible putting himself forward. There is no one in Northern Armenia whom I could employ on a similar mission. I would venture, therefore, to suggest that Lieutenant Chermside, whose presence is no longer required at Gallipoli, might be sent upon it. He is exceedingly intelligent, and has now had considerable experience of Turkey and its populations, besides having the merit of getting on exceedingly well with the Turks. I know no one better qualified for the task.
It appears to me of very great importance that, if the Commissions are seriously to undertake the work on which they are sent, and are to receive and redress the grievances of the Christian populations, they should be accompanied, as far as possible, by an English officer. Otherwise the Armenians will be afraid of making their complaint, and the truth will be kept from the commissions, however desirous their members may be of arriving at it.
The Armenian Patriarch sent to tell me that he should not withdraw his resignation, which the Porte has hitherto declined to accept, unless I would undertake that a British member should be added to the Commissions. This I refused to do, but I told his Beatitude that I would take steps to watch their proceedings through a British functionary, and this has satified him for the present.
One of the Commissions is composed of Akif Pasha and Nourian Effendi, an Armenian and a Member of the Council of State. I have not yet learnt the names of the two members of the other.
I have, &c.
(Signed) A. H. LAYARD.
F. 0. 424/80, p. 265 - 266, No. 317

Monday, February 8, 2010

DECEPTION AND TREACHERY


DECEPTION AND TREACHERY
Despite Dashnak (i.e. Nazi) Armenians are blaming not only Turks and present Republic of Turkey which was established in 1923 after a liberation war staged against not only Western imperialists but also Ottoman Empire, almost eight years after the alleged genocide in 1915. but also anybody else who based on the evidence from Tsarist Russia, British Documents, American Documents and lack of mass graves, concentration camps, etc. as well as lack of previous history of hatred and discrimination between the (alleged) victim and (alleged) perpetrator of the genocide which are telltale signs of a genocide, are convinced of groundlessness of Dashnak (Nazi) Armenians' claims and thus deny them, by stereotyping them as Turks, Turkish Agents, Georgians, Self-Hating (sic) Jews and denialists who received blood money from Turks for denying the first and well established genocide of 20th century, these Turks, Turkish Agents, Georgians, Self-Hating (sic) Jews and denialists who received blood money from Turks for denying the first and well established genocide of 20th century never cease to exist.
And Captain (Major) Trotter is one of them. Just like Flethcher Reed of the Movie “Liar Liar” starred by Jim Carrey, shouts “objection” and gives grounds of his objection as “He is ruining my case”, Major Trotter is just like Tsarist Russian General Bolhovinitov who issued a report on Armenians just after a few months from the date of deportation, by Ottomans, of the Armenians, is ruining case of Dashnak (Nazi) Armenian's industry of genocide, whereby they blame, demonize and discriminate against Turks and current Republic of Turkey, for events which took place before existence of Republic of Turkey, as a result of adoption of a deportation decisions by an Ottoman Cabinet of Ministers consisting of entirely non-Turks, due to presence of Armenian Rebellion targeting not government circles but non-combatant civilian Turks whose men are off to war, which was implemented by German generals who are commandants of Ottoman Army, during which Armenians of the deportee convoys were being murdered by nomadic Kurdish bandits, and profit from their own misery through this gig.
The denialist (?) Major Trotter through the following correspondence, shed further light that Kurds were lawless thugs, live on by robbing and raping other people and despite Dashnak (Nazi) Armenians scream about it, there was no atrocities between ethnic Turks and Armenians.
Just like today's Dashnak (Nazi) Armenians' deceptive behavior, Major Trotter indicates the deceptive behavior of Armenian Bishop of Diarbekir (current Diyarbakir), by making reference to false statement of they “Meurent d’inanition et de froid” (die of inanition and cold) and mentions about another Armenian clergy of Protestant creed, Mr. Boyajian who debunks the claims of Armenian Bishop of Diarbekir.
I'm sure Dashnak (Nazi) Armenians would be very happy to firebomb this guy's house, assassinate his character, call him names, start campaigns of his dismissal as they did to many other people they simply demonized and discriminated against as referring to them as Turks, Turkish Agents, Georgians, self hating (sic) Jew or denialists who received blood money from Turks.
The denialist (?) Major Trotter asks Armenian Bishop of the proof of their “dieing of hunger and cold” and says “He has always replied, “I can prove it,” but he has hitherto failed to do so, and I believe the statement to be without foundation.
The denialist (?) Major Trotter also gives hints about how Gregorian Armenian Clergy was instrumental in the bloody rebellion Armenians staged against non-combatant Turkish civilians by massacring women and children, despite they were being murdered and harassed by Kurds, leading to their deportation, which was (ab)used by Dashnak (Nazi) Armenians to scam Western society to collect aids.
Any way please read yourself and let the truth be told.
No More Discrimination

No. 144
Major Trotter, R. E., to the Marquis of Salisbury.
No. 3. Political. Confidential.
My Lord,
DIARBEKIR, January 17, 1879.
(Received February 12.)
A FEW days since it became known here that the Government contemplated settling in the Vilayet of Diarbekir 4,000 or 5,000 families of Circassian emigrants. The news created great excitement, as the memories of the former Circassian immigration came to mind, when 40,000 people passed through Diarbekir from the north on their way to the settlement of Ras-el-Ain, causing great suffering to the population of the country passed through, who had first to support them, and then to suffer from their robberies and other depredations. The once vast colony of Ras-el-Ain is said to be now reduced, through war, pestilence, and other causes, to some 500 families.
On the news circulating, I was visited by the heads of the principal Christian communities here, who, sinking their own differences, united to ask my aid in endeavouring to avert what, in the present disturbed state of the country, they rightly regard as an impending calamity. I promised to telegraph to Her Majesty’s Ambassador to endeavour to move him to interest himself in the matter, and I dispatched to his Excellency (in cypher) the following telegram:— “It has been arranged to locate 4,000 Circassian families in this province:
most of the heads of the Christian communities have requested my assistance to prevent this arrangement, which is most undesirable in the existing unsettled state of the country.”
My recent despatches will, doubtless, be fresh in your Excellency’s recollection, and it will require no arguments on my part to convince your Excellency of the desirability, as far as the interests of this vilayet are concerned, of preventing the threatened immigration, which can only add one more element of disorder where too much already exists.
The matter has caused some friction between the religious heads and the local authorities. The former asked my advice as to whether or no they should telegraph to the Grand Vizier, to their own religious representatives in Constantinople, and to the Ambassadors of the Great Powers. I told them there could be no possible harm in telegraphing to the Grand Vizier and to their own representatives, but I endeavoured to dissuade them from telegraphing to the Ambassadors, both as being unconstitutional and unnecessary. The Protestant and Chaldaean Chiefs were of the same opinion as myself, but the Armenian Bishop Philippos, who took the leading part in the matter, gained his point, and an exaggerated sensational telegram (copy of which I inclose) was dispatched to the whole of the before- mentioned.
It had a startling effect, for the same or the following day the Vali received a telegram from the Grand Vizier, of the precise purport of which I am ignorant, but there is no doubt that great irritation was caused, both here and at Constantinople, at the slight put on the Sultan’s Government; and the Pasha, on a visit I paid to him yesterday, thanked me with much impressement for having endeavoured to prevent the despatch of the telegram to the Ambassadors of the Great Powers, with which fact he had somehow or another become acquainted.
It must not be supposed that because the telegram dispatched from here bore the signatures of the heads of nine different religious communities that the signatories are believed in or were even aware of the wording of the telegraph. I am somewhat behind the scenes, and know that the composition of the despatch was entirely the work of the Armenian Bishop Philippos and his friends, and that, at least, two signatures were only given on the condition that certain expressions should be exchanged, and that the telegram should not be sent to the Ambassadors; others signed who were, I believe, as ignorant of the statements made as of the alleged facts on which those statements were based.
I was furnished with a copy of the telegram, and was particularly struck with the expression, “Meurent d’inanition et de froid:” I, as well as others here, have questioned the the truth of this statement, and have asked the Bishop for an explanation. He has always replied, “I can prove it,” but he has hitherto failed to do so, and I believe the statement to be without foundation. In discussing the matter with Mr. Boyajean (the head of the Protestans here) and other residents, I learn that during every winter a large number of Armenian families emigrate to Diarbekir from Moosh and its neighbourhood. The men generally obtain work, and the women endeavour to get a livelihood by begging. The latter have, in certain cases, refused an asylum in a Christian house, where they would have been clothed and fed, but would have been expected to do some work. In the spring these people return to their own country.
Mr. Boyajean informed me that this winter, in spite of its being an unusually mild one, there are more of these people about than usual, but amongst the Protestant community he was quite sure there was no extraordinary amount of suffering; and he rightly remarked that, if the statements of the Bishop were true, the facts were most discreditable to the Armenian Bishop himself and the Armenian community, who could easily find means for preventing the calamities he decribes.
I wish I could state that there were no foundations for other statements in this telegram; although highly coloured and too general and sweeping, there is, as your Lordship will have become aware from my recent despatches, a considerable amount of foundation of truth.
The Armenian Bishop is a restless, active, quarrelsome, and I believe, mischievous man. He is a native of Baku, in Russia, in which country he was educated, and he is supposed to have very strong Russian sympathies; he openly states that he is agitating by telegrams in order to compel the Government to inaugurate quickly the promised reforms; he is unpopular amongst many of the leading members of his own community, who fear that he will compromise the Armenians, and bring about a collision between them and the Mussulmans. He certainly is indiscreet, and in the pulpit last Sunday publicly announced that he was sending a telegram to Constantinople to prevent the threatened immigration of Circassians. If he were more moderate in his views and in his behaviour, he would be of much greater service to his race. If, for instance, he were occasionally to go to the Medjliss, of which he is a member, and exercise his influence in a legitimate manner, as certain other Christian members do, he might do much good, but he never goes near it.
There is certain amount of fermentation amongst the “Young Armenian” party here. They have started theatrical performances for national Armenian plays. I was present on one occasion by special invitation; the Armenian Bishop was there, but other Armenian notables were conspicuous by their absence. The nature of the performance generally was such as to stimulate hopes of a new Armenian nationality. The first piece was a tragedy a propos of the ancient wars between the Armenians and the Persians. The second was allegorical; suffering Armenia was represented by a female in chains, clothed in sackcloth; she was addressed alternately by the angels of discord, love, and hope. In the course of the performance the latter raised from the dead two very ghastly-looking representatives of Armenian humanity, who, rising from their graves with much solemnity, represented the revival of Armenian nationality. The whole was not badly got up. The proceedings were enlivened by the singing of the hymn of liberty, composed by a M. Nalbatian, a Russian Armenian, who lately died in exile in Siberia. The song would probably not have been permitted if the Turks, two or three of whom were present at the performance, had understood the words.
The theatricals were at a private house, there being not theatre here. The audience was composed of about 100 persons, mostly young men and boys.
I have, &c.
(Signed) HENRY TROTTER.
P.S.—After all I have written against the Armenian Bishop, it is only fair to say that he has always treated me with the utmost courtesy; on the occasion of my first official visit I was received with the greatest honours, and was heralded into his presence by a procession of choristers, in full dress, burning incense, and chanting a hymn of welcome. There is no doubt he is working for a good end, although we don’t agree as to the best method of obtaining it.
F. O. 424/80, p. 194-196, No. 243
Inclosure in No. 144.
Telegram.
A Sa Grandeur le Grand Vizir; Ambassadeurs (Russie, Angleterre, France, Allemagne, Autriche, Italie); Patriarches (Arménien, Grec, Arménien Catholique); Representant Protestant (Mgr. Azarian) Constantinople.
LES méfaits journaliers commis par Kurdes augmentent crimes, pillages, exactions, violations, perpétrés a Nizibine, Médiat, Djéziré, Séliwan, Ledjdjé, Hazre, Hayné, Ridvan Koulpe, Khian, et Djabaghtehour surpassées par atrocités commises a Dèhe et autres villages Séert. Eglises Dèhe transformés dépôts militaires. Vases sacrés, orriements sacerdotaux, se vendent publiquement Séert. Etat Chrétien empire, familles aisées réduites mendicité, beaucoup meurent inanition et froid.
Si émigrés viendront habiter ce vilayet les maux de nos populations atteindront infalliblement leur comble. Supplions instamment application réformes et protection promises, empéchent emigres Roumélie venir ce souffrant pays.


(Signe) NILICAS,Pietre Grec.
ABOD JESUS, Archeveque Chaldéen.
Pére NICOLAS, Missionnaire Capucin.
MIRZA, Vicaire Patriarcal Jacobite.
P. BOYAJIAN, Ministre Protestant.
IBRAHIM, Vicaire Patriarcal Grec Catholique.
PHILLIPPUS, Arche Arménien.
Père ALEXIS, Mekhitariste.
PETROS, Vicaire Patriarcal Syrien Catholique.
Diarbékir, le 14 Janvier 1879.
F. 0. 424/8o, p. 596, .No. 243 /1
No. 145
Sir A. H. Layard to the Marquis of Salisbury.
No. 71
My Lord,
PERA, January 25, 1879.
(Received January 31.)
I HAVE the honour to inclose copy of an interesting despatch that I have received from Major Trotter. I would venture to recommend to your Lordship’s serious consideration his suggestions with regard to the appointment of British Consuls in Asia Minor. I entirely concur in his opinion that the presence of good Consular Officers is the most effective check upon misconduct on the part of the local authorities, and affords the best guarantee for the protection of the Christians and for the due execution of the required reforms. But I do not advise the appointment of missionaries as Consular Agents, whether they be British subjects or American citizens. It appears to me that there are very grave objections to it.
I have telegraphed to Major Trotter to remain at Diarbekir, visiting the district as he proposes, until he receives further instructions from your Lordship.
I have, &c.
(Signed) A. H. LAYARD.
F. 0. 424/79, p. 474, No 546
Inclosure in No. 145
Captain Trotter to Sir A. H. La
Sir,
DIARBEKIR, December 21, 1878.
I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency that in compliance with the instructions contained in your Excellency’s telegram of the 2nd instant I left Erzeroum for this city on the 10th instant, and proceeding by Tchabakchoor and Lijjeh, arrived here yesterday.
I Have already telegraphed to your Excellency my arrival, and the fact that I have been well received by the Governor. I must reserve all description of my journey and reception here until the next mail, as I understand the post leaves in a few hours time. I am told that during the winter months letters from this to Constantinople take from two to three or four weeks in transit, and as the international post only leaves once a fortnight it is probable that I shall be compelled to make free use of the telegraph in communicating news of the province. I will, therefore, in the short time at my disposal before the post leaves, address your Excellency on one or two points which are of immediate importance and which can hardly be explained by telegraph.
From what I have seen and heard en route and since my arrival here, I am of opinion that the interests of the Government, in so far as they are affected by the well-being of this country generally, will be better served by my remaining south for some months instead of returning at any early date to Erzeroum.
There has been, I believe, no English Consul stationed here for the last ten years, and the greatest possible interest has been excited by my arrival, as is evident from the numerous deputations of the European and Christian inhabitants who, unsolicited and unexpected, came Out on the Erzeroum road to meet me.
There is no doubt that the state of the vilayet is most unsatisfactory, and all reliable accounts agree that the present condition of the Christians throughout the district (I except the city of Diarbekir) is worse than it has been at any period during the past several years. The Kurds seem to have the upper hand everywhere, and in some places arsons, assaults, and rape appear to be committed almost with impunity; and although the presence of Izzet Pasha and of the soldiery, who have quite recently been sent here, may and ought to improve the condition of affairs, I think there can be no doubt that the presence of a British official in the district will materially strengthen for good the hands of the Governor.
I have already been received by his Excellency the Governor, who was, however, suffering at the time from an attack of fever, which is just now almost epidemic here. I have asked the representatives here of about eight different religious communities what they think of the present Governor. Every one speaks of him in terms of the highest praise, as being honest and energetic and just, but his hands, they say, are tied by the Medjlises, the members of which are mostly very corrupt, and by the authorities at Constantinople, who do not sufficiently support him when he wishes to act with energy. I may mention, enpassant, that at Erzeroum also most bitter complaints were made against the Medjlises; much of the evil to which the country generally is subjected is doubtless due to the venality of members of the different Medjlises; a rich man, or a man having rich friends, can always escape the punishment that may be due to him.
There is a universal wish expressed amongst the Christian inhabitants for the establishment of a permanent Consulate here, and there is no doubt that it is extremely desirable, and that the presence of a Consul is just as necessary here as it is at Erzeroum. I do not know what arrangements may be contemplated by Her Majesty’s Government for the future Consular establishment of these provinces. Much will, doubtless, depend upon the number and position of the English and European officers to be employed in the country under the proposed reforms (as, for instance, where there may be a district Police Superintendent, a Consular or Vice-Consular agent might not be required), but I may perhaps be permitted to venture a suggestion that a Consul-General should be appointed for Kurdistan, with Erzeroum as his summer, and Diarbekir as his winter, head-quarters, but with a general commission to travel over the whole district. In addition to the Consul-General, there should be permanent Consuls or Vice-Consuls at both Diarbekir and Erzeroum, as well as Vice-Consulates at Kharpoot, Van, Bitlis, or Mosh; but if the Consul-General were free to travel over the whole of Kurdistan, and were to spend much of his time in doing so, it would perhaps be unnecessary to station Vice-Consuls at the latter places, but Consular Agents or news agents of some kind might be employed. Trustworthy agents could be found amongst the American missionaries, who are stationed at Erzeroum, Van, and Bitlis, Kharpoot, and Mardin.
In winter Erzeroum and Diarbekir are, for all practical purposes of Consular control, as far apart (or rather much further) as London is from Constantinople. The road I came by has never been open at the season I travelled since the year following the Crimean war, and I should be very much surprised if a letter were to reach me by post from Erzeroum within three weeks of its departure. Last winter the post from here to Constantinople was delayed by impassable snow for fifteen days at a village only eighteen hours from Diarbekir, on the post road via Kharpoot and Samsoon, the same road by which I shall have to travel if I return to Erzeroum during the winter. This consideration has induced me to-day to telegraph to Mr. Cole, American missionary at Erzeroum, authorizing him to telegraph to me any very important occurrences in the district, and I would venture to suggest to your Excellency the extreme desirability, should my stay down here be prolonged, of appointing some one at Erzeroum temporarily to look after British interest, and to keep your Excellency informed of what is passing in the district. I believe that M. Castagne, the Acting Vice-Consul of France, or the Rev. Mr. Cole would either of them be fit and proper persons for the duty, for which, I presume, some remuneration would be allowed.
In compliance with your Excellency’s instructions, I handed over the Archives of the Consulate to M. Castagne before leaving, and I authorized him to re-open and forward telegrams to my address, but, in the absence of instructions, I did not put him in any way in charge of British interests, or of the Consulate. My house and private property I left in charge of a Cavass pensioner. I am despatching this letter via Alexandretta, which M. Pisani, the head of the International Post Office here, informs me is in winter the best and quickest route. The last Constantinople “Chanta” left overland twenty days ago, but has not yet arrived.
I have telegraphed to London to have all my letters and papers sent to the care of the Embassy at Constantinople, and I have the honour to request that your Excellency will kindly give instructions to have them forwarded to me (for as long as I continue in Southern Kurdistan) to care of Consular Agent, Alexandretta, to be forwarded to me at Diarbekir. I propose spending the next fortnight in this city in making myself acquainted with the condition of the country. The heads of the various religious communities residing here have correspondents scattered all over the district, and my means of obtaining information here are far superior to what I had at command at Erzeroum. I may perhaps pay flying visits to Mardin and other places in the neighbourhood, but will not start on any extended tour without first communicating by telegraph with your Excellency.
I shall be much obliged if your Excellency will kindly telegraph to me on receipt of this despatch (of which I have no time to prepare a copy to send home) your Excellencys’s whishes on the subject of my remaining south or returning north; also as to whether anything is settled as to the establishment of a permanent Consulate or Vice-Consulate at Diarbekir, for I have brought down with me various reports and documents belonging to the old Diarbekir Consulate, also some blue books relating to Euphrates Valley Railway schemes, &c, which it would be desirable to have here if a Consul is to be appointed.
I have, &c.
(Signed) H. TROTTER, Captain, R. E.
In charge Kurdistan Consulate
F. O. 424/79, p. 474-476. No. 546/I

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Armenian Patriarch Resigns Due to Ill Treatment and Oppression of Armenians not by the Turks but the Kurds


Armenian Patriarch Resigns Due to Ill Treatment and Oppression of Armenians not by the Turks but the Kurds
As Dashnak (i.e. Nazi) Armenians over and over reiterated that Turks were oppressing Armenians for several centuries to support their allegations that Turks, living together with Armenians for almost a millennium without any sign of hatred or racial tension, staged a genocide on Armenians in 1915.
However, as anybody else who dare to challenge Dashnak allegations is labeled and libelled as a Turk, a Turkish Agent, a Georgian, a Self Hating (sic) Jew or a denialist who received blood money from Turks for denying the first genocide of 20th century, British consular functionaries must also fit into this description, since strangely they never give any intelligence regarding any atrocities committed by Turks on Armenians, but Kurds.
The following correspondence, to our surprise denying allegations by Dashnak Armenians, and clearly state that Mussulmans (Moslems) as well as Christians were subject to lawlessness of Kurds alike.
So read yourself and let the truth be told.
No More Discrimination
No. 138
Sir A. H. Layard to the Marquis of Salisbury.
No. 25. (B.B.)
My Lord,
PERA, January 7,
(Received January 17.)
I AM informed that the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, who is the head of the Armenian Church in the Turkish dominions, has sent his resignation to the Porte giving as his reason for doing so the want of attention paid to his constant complaints of the ill-treatment and oppression to which his community is subjected in Asia Minor, especially by the Kurds. His Beatitude has frequently threatened to resign, but I have advised him not to do so, as in the present state of anarchy in the east of Asia Minor, caused by the war, it is difficult for the Turkish authorities, however desirous they may be to protect the peaceable populations, Mussulman as well as Christian, to defend them from the lawlessness of the Kurds without troops or police. The Grand Vizier and other Ministers to whom I have spoken on this subject are, I believe, perfectly alive to this very unsatisfactory state of things, and sincerely desirous of putting an end to it as soon as they can find the means of doing so. It would have been better for the Patriarch to have continued in his office, as by keeping me informed of what was occurring in Asia Minor, he enabled me to make representations to the Porte which have frequently been attended, as your Lordship is aware, with favourable results, and could have exerted his influence for the protection of his people.
I have, &c.
(Signed) A. H. LAYARD.
F. 0. 424/79, p. 271, No. 285