The irony of the history: falsified: “Armenian genocide”

(The period until 1914)

 Today many political events and unexpected decisions are used as game thing of different forces. Some countries especially countries which have big economical and military potential  interfere to the internal affairs of nations that has no relation to them, analyzing historical events unilateral for their own interests, put aside their participation in mass slaughters try to keep their dominancy on competitors in order to get position. For this they mostly use falsified Armenian genocide claims.

The falsified Armenian genocide is the pretension that claims in the beginning of XX century, to be exact in 1915 year Armenians who lived in Ottoman Empire territory were mass and systematically slaughtered. As if, Armenians during the First World War were killed intentionally due to the special orders of leaders of Ottoman state which was the inheritance of today’s Turkey and about 1.5 million Armenians were killed as a result of that genocide. But what realities the history whispers us? What is the real face of those events claimed to be “Armenian genocide”?  Let’s look through to the history of those events.

Armenian revolts and reasons for this?

At the end of XIX century some revolts began in territory of Ottoman Empire. As the international relations were sharpened in that period and as a result of enmity politics of European countries especially tsar Russia against Ottoman state revolts began in Balkan, Middle East and Eastern Anadolu against Turks. By provokes of Serbs and Bulgarians in Balkan, Armenians in Anadolu, English in Arabia, Syria, Iraq revolts began against the government. The territorial claims of Tsar Russia against Ottoman were observed by war and political support given to Armenians, Serbs and Greek. As Armenians lived in neighborhood and inside the same territory of Turks like “faithful” and “oppressed” nation Turks had frank relationship to them. Then this belief worked against Turks and for Armenians. So, Armenian chauvinist ideologists live under the “Big Armenia” imagination and church figures choose a way of striking Ottoman from back in Russian-Turk war, beginning mass revolts, inflicting peaceful nation, making chaos and disturbance in the country and making them to recognize the independent country.  For these aim Western countries, especially Tsar Russia helped them financially and morally.

In 6th December of 1876 Armenian patriarch in Istanbul wrote in his letter sent to English ambassador Elliot: … if revolts and disturbance is needed to attract interfere and interest of Europe to this issue, it is not so hard to do this (1). It shows that Armenians were ready for a long time and they intentionally realized their plans. The letter of English Ambassador in Istanbul to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of England in 28th May 1894 proves this. He wrote: “the target of Armenian rabble-rousers is to make chaos, make Ottomans to answer this and so to ensure the interest of foreign countries to this issue” (2). So the first glow began with the event of Musa bey in history. Let’s look through the chain Armenian revolts before the I World War.

Musa bey event

Before the Qumqapi armed diversion organized in Istanbul by Hncak committee, terror organization used Musa bey event for propaganda in Europe. This event begins with the screams for the purpose to swell the security of Armenians in Turkey, Christian fanaticism. As if the complains about the Musa bey was the reason of beginning of those screams. Armenians claimed that: “Musa bey participated in some robbery and tortures as an organizer but no measures were done for this and government did not look through complains. Especially, as the nephew of the abbot from Mush city named Gulzar was kidnapped and brought to the home of Musa bey. She was raped by Musa then brother of Musa repeated the same things, the efforts to make her to accept Islam, tortures done to the girl was reason that Gulzar and a group of men went to Istanbul plaintiffs. Included Gulzar and 58 Armenians complained to the Prime Ministry but did not get any positive answer. In reality there is a fact that Musa bey was called to Istanbul because of them. Musa bey was called to Istanbul to be judged, but after he was interrogated by questioning more than 60 witnesses and as there was not any fact he was declared innocent”. (3). But Musa bey event turned into the strong propaganda source for Armenians. The photos of Armenian girl Gulzar and his uncle abbot were taken and sent to all press organizations of Europe. The aim was to base on the honor of abbot and to use Christian fanaticism.

Ersurum event happened in 20th June of 1890. That time Samih pasha and some responsible officials were informed that Armenians brought guns from Russia and they keep them in Sanasaryan School, in church.

During the July police wanted to make research in churches, but as Armenians were informed beforehand there rested against of this. After the first order, Armenians from committee fired to the soldiers there as a result they killed 3 militaries and a police. Only after the Armenians were rendered harmless the searches in the churches were continued.

Qumqapi sabotage

One of the most important events that Armenians used for propaganda and provocation is Qumqapi sabotage. The well-known historian of Turkey Esed Uras writes that, in 15th July of 1890 two Armenians were chosen to make armed sabotage in Qumqapi by hncaks. On the event day telegraph lines were cut and the lists of Hncak were delivered among nation. Armenians made abbot making religious ritual in the church to go with them to the Palace. Abbot Ashikyan run and found shelter in cloister. Armed Armenian gangsters occupied the cloister, but guns exploded there and the cloister was destroyed. Abbot Ashikyan was obliged to go to the Palace with gangsters. Armenian mass that wanted to gather in front of the Palace and terrorist hncaks shouted “Long live Armenians, Long live independent Armenia”. Turkish soldiers and Police went to disperse the protests, but Armenians shoot at them. H.Cangulyan, who was one of the idea authors and organizers of this sabotage, explained their shoot such: Ours shoot at the soldiers wildly, incessantly, soldiers tried to arrest armed people. 6-7 soldiers were wounded. About 10 soldiers were wounded lightly. We lost two people” (5).

Zeytun revolt

In July of 1895 in Zeytun province Hncak terror organization organized the revolt of Armenians. Bu the leading of Nazarbekov brothers five members of Hncak terror organization went to Zeytun and made Armenians to make revols, told them that English will support this revolt. Esed Uras writes: “in 16th September of 1895 100 gangster group joined in “Dark valley” and made revolt. All telegraph lines were cut. About 2 thousand Armenians and 4 thousand armed Armenians made sabotages in all territories of the region. The viceroy of the region, 50 soldiers, generally 600 captives were taken. Captives were killed by Armenian women. After the commandant Remzi Pasha sent help, revolts again was oppressed to Zeytun. Though it was hard to render Armenians who used modern guns, Turkish army cleaned the territory. As little was left to destroy armed rebels, ambassadors of European countries in Istanbul interfered, suggested peace and the movement stopped.” (6)

Historian Kamran Gurun notes that, after the revolt ambassadors mobilized their consulates in Heleb for the escape of rebels. The consuls of 6 countries went to Zeytun in 1896 and in 28thJanuary peace was signed. Due to the terms of agreement arms were handed, the sabotage group of Hncak deprived out of country in 13th February and went to Marcel in 12th March. (7). This time again party made Armenians to revolt with bloody agitation and made belief in them to the establishment of big Armenia and many Armenians, Kurd and Turk were killed as a result.

The first Sasun revolt

In 1890 one of the members of Hncak named Mehran Damadyan was taken to Istanbul for interrogation when Armenians informed the police after he made propaganda for 3 years but then was freed. The revolt afterwards was organized to realize the interference of foreign states by Hncak committee and began by Murad Boyaciyan. E.Uras writes that, in order to go to Sasun, Murad passed from Caucasus and got support from Dashnaksutyun. When he arrived to Sasun he gathered Armenians and shared his revolt plan with them. About 3000 armed Armenians found shelter in Antaq Mountain and attacked to peaceful Turkish settlements and villages. They killed hundreds of woman, children, and old men. Also Armenian gangsters attacked to the Kurdish regions and killed Kurds too. The religious beliefs of all Muslim captives were insulted. Many women were raped. Killings were realized with special cruelty. The all property of the peaceful population they attacked were robbed and burnt. Armenian gangsters wanted to attack to Mush and occupy it. But Turkish garrison situated in Mush prevented this. All Muslim population exposed to attack were made to kiss cross and accept Christianity. Who did not want were killed with special cruelty.

Armenians who used to close the cruelties they made in history with lie, tried to put the responsibility on Turks in Sasun events. American researcher Samuel Wins noted about this in his book about Armenians: British captain Norman was accepted in 19th September of 1895 and made report based on Armenian manifesto addressed to Armenians live in Adana region. It is written in manifesto: “Armenian arm for fight! Let’s draw the swords and attack to enemy!” Norman told that, British journalists were insulted by Armenians”. He added that, ‘the stories that they throw their children from Antaq Mountain and as women throw themselves too in order to keep honor are legends”. Captain asked about the count of Armenians and told that “as they increase the count of their victims, they exaggerate everything”.

We can see this also in the results of researches done by Sasun investigation Commission in 1894 by Ottoman government to value the problems Armenians rose. There were also English, French and Russians in the commission besides the Muslim members. Commission decided that, Armenians are as guilty as Turks that attacked to each other. But in spite of this, British representative prepared another report. He noted that, “ the mass slaughter of Armenians by Turkish soldiers, especially the cut of Armenian women in Qeliquzan Church and the destroy of woman cloister in Talari has no bases” (12)

The consul of England in Van Holward wanted to go to Sasun to learn the situation. But as Ottoman government saw him as one of the agitators of revolt, they did not let him. After some time, as a result of pressure to government, Russian, English and French consuls gathered in Erzurum and discussed the issue. Special Commission was established. As a result of 6 months intense investigations about 108 meeting were held, more than 190 witnesses were interrogated.

In 23rd August the leader of the revolt Murad was arrested. This revolt had special importance for Armenians. Due to them the revolt waves in Sasun would give a chance to Europe to move. So the Armenian imagination would come true. After intense fights and lost the revolt ended. The “New York Herald” newspaper of America wrote about this event: “Commission defined that, Ottoman government used the most legal right to sent troops against the rebels. Those soldiers could win Armenians after bloody clashes. Gangsters inflicted peaceful nation. Muslim people were killed, robbed and insulted. Many Muslims were made to accept Christianity and kiss cross after their eyes were pulled out; ears were cut and were insulted.

Turkish behaved to women, children, old men and invalid people due to Islam and human law. Died Armenians are who did not want to accept capitulation and who fought against the legal government of the country. (8)

Van revolt

Van revolt began in 15th June of 1895. General Mayevski who was consul of Russia in Van for 6 years and in Erzurum wrote in his memories: in 1895 Van saboteurs began big movement to attract the attention of Europe to Armenian issue. Letter with death threats were sent to rich Armenians to make them support this movement. Some crimes are realized by Van sabotage committee. The most important crime among them was the killing of abbot Bogos in 6thJanuary, in the big holiday day while Armenians went to church. After the spring came the revolt preparations became rapid, the talks about the people that were killed and their bodies were torn aside the city. Saboteurs saw that oppressions and deep investigations were not done against such crimes, they became brave. While they became braver, the patience of Muslim decreased” (9)

It is noted in province reports, especially in the report of Seadetdin pasha who was sent to Van as the commander of troops, that about 418 Muslim, 1715 Armenians were killed, 363 Muslim and 71 Armenians were wounded. Also head consul of England in Ottoman Williams told his thoughts about the revolts. Diplomat notes: “Dashnaks have about 400 members in Van and they provoke their nation to make terror with 50 hncaks, incite Muslim nation against them with their craziness and do not let to make reforms. If they can be silent, then I am sure that the prevention which prevents the peace in the region will go out”.  (10).

II Sasun revolt

After the failure of Sasun revolt in 8 August 1895, dashnaks tried to strike the second stab in 1897. Dashnak gang bands entered to Turkey from Iran and Caucasus by Van way. But Mazrik Kurd sect on the way prevented them. To annihilate that sect for forever, committee members attacked to the tents of sect with 250 gangs in Honasor. But failed and went back. Then dashnaks realized their activity in Sasun and Mush. At that time, Andronik Ozanyan got the leadership of all bands. He was born in 1866 in Eastern Qarahisar and enteredto the terror organizations when he was young, was arrested as he killed a Turk. Then he run from prison by the help of terror organization committee and was sent to Batum. From the end of 1903, revolt waves wrapped the all Sasun. Troops were sent to suppress the rebellion in 13th April of 1904 and the revolts were pressured. Failed Andronik could escape by running to Caucasus.

Due to the book of K.Kudulyan, that was published in Beirut in Armenian in 1929 named “Andronik Fights” 1132 Turk were killed in those revolts and only 19 Armenians were killed then. It is seem from the counts given by Armenian author, though Armenians killed, in order to describe them as the nation that kill peaceful nation, they are described contrary. (11)

The Star conspiracy

One of the nasty activities of Dashnaks in Turkey is the conspiracy against sultan Ebdulhemid. Christopher Mikayelyan, Vram Shabuj Kendiryan from Herzegovina, Joris and his wife from Belgium, Shalf Greek Silvio Ritchi , german Lipa-Rips, Ardash Kaptanyan, Chris Fenerchiyan, Ashot (Karlo Yovanovich) and other Armenians that came from Caucasus and from different countries of Europe, gathered in Istanbul and organized conspiracy plan. First they tested 12 bombs in Polonez village and in Ibrahim Pasha Circle. As Mikayelyan had Russian Jewish passport, due to the recommendation he got from Russian Embassy, went to the meeting of Sultan a few times and planned to throw bomb on Sultan. Then it was clear that, it was impossible to explore the bomb as the soil was poured on the roads in Salamliq valley.

Armenian historian Levon Panos wrote about the Dabagyan conspiracy event: “ in January of 1904 in congress of Dashnaksutyun party gathered in Sofia important decisions were decided and due to the plan organized by that decision mass terror activities would be realized in Istanbul and Izmir and sultan Ebdulhemid would be killed.. Two terrorists named Hajak and Hrach were the leaders in spread and strengthen of Dashnak committees in regions. They made terror actions in Izmir in 1887 and made Armenian rich people to give tributes and killed those who were against of them. Now they had new targets and their plans were the robbery and destroy of banks, custom offices, stations, bridges. One of the formers of Dashnak Christopher Mikayelyan was leading the saboteurs. His target was Ebdulhemid khan.”

Due to the Armenian historian, though the plan of sabotage against Sultan II Ebdulhemid was decided in Sofia congress, main plan was prepared in Sweden with Zionists… After the sabotage plan was looked through repeatedly, the terrorist leader of dashnaks Ch. Mikayelyan passed to Tbilisi then to Greek. After the Armenian woman named Zare met them, two women named Mari Anchkova and Rubina participated in organization committee. After the needed substances for bomb were bought from Greek and Bulgaria Mikayelyan who went to Istanbul took Mari with him, prepared false documents for her and himself named Rubina Fayn for her and Samuel Fayn for himself and entered to Istanbul under the name of Russian Jewish. (13)

Then in the celebration in the 15th day of Ramadan month, a plan of gun attack by two men to Sultan on the way, defined men waited with guns but that day Sultan went to Ciragan Palace by passing Star garden and made the plan of gangs failure. At last plan of putting bomb on the places where foreign guests were, or making big blast by automobile. 120 kg bomb was arranged on the place of driver and 42 second timer bomb was ready. The drive of automobile was given to 45 year old Armenian killer Zare Hachikyan. In 18th July of 1905, in Friday when Sultan was back from the greeting ceremony to the Palace a bomb was exposed. He was alive only because he met with sheikhulislam after he left mosque and he was late for some moments. The sabotage failed. Because of the event, Austrian Eduard Joris sentenced to death. After some time, Joris who was brought to the prison was appointed as an agent against Armenians and was sent to Europe (14)

Adana event

One of the Armenian revolts organized intentionally is Adana events. The events went out of the control as two Turkish youth were killed and murder was not handed to government.

Turkish diplomat and writer Kamuran Gurun wrote: Muslims and Turks fought for three days without a break. Government draw troops to Adana and Armenian revolts were suppressed. In some sources it is said that 17000 Armenians and 1850 Muslim were killed in events. Though Armenian patriarch told that 21300 Armenian were killed, it was not approved yet. Ottoman government gave Armenians and Muslim to the court (15).

As we see, the beginning of the events so called “Armenian genocide” as if happened in 1915 goes to the I World War. Until 1914 Armenians already did the events showed before and killed ten thousands Turks. There is no doubt that, though the internal affairs of the country was hard and in intense fight condition, also by support of tsar Russia, the country met with the perfidy of Armenians, Ottoman state did not only observe how the population is slaughtered, showed resistance and at the result Armenian gangs also had loss. But the reality is that, in compare with local Turks Armenians exaggerated loss and tries to deceive the counts to the world as “real counts”. Also we want to note that, most of killed Turkish people in slaughters were peaceful people, old men, children, and women. But among Armenian loss were mostly armed gangs and besides they inflicted Ottoman population but also did not answer capitulation call of troops, showed resistance to the state leaning to the support of Russian army.

Anar TURAN,