There are numerous telegrams attributed to Enver Pasha, as he was one of the leading figures in the Ottoman government during the time of the Armenian Genocide.
Hüsamettin Ertürk recalled a speech by Enver Paşa:
How could a person forget the plains, the meadows, watered with the blood of our forefathers; abandon those places where Turkish raiders had hidden their steeds for a full four hundred years, with our mosques, our tombs, our dervish retreats, our bridges and our castles, to leave them to our slaves, to be driven out of Rumelia to Anatolia: this was beyond a person’s endurance. I am prepared to gladly sacrifice the remaining years of my life to take revenge on the Bulgarians, the Greeks and the Montenegrans
The German archives contain significant information about the Armenian Genocide. During World War I, Germany was an ally of the Ottoman Empire and had a significant presence in the region. As a result, German diplomats, military officers, and other officials were able to document the events of the genocide and provide detailed accounts of what they saw.
One of the most significant sets of documents in the German archives related to the Armenian Genocide is the “Talaat Pasha Telegrams.” Talaat Pasha was one of the leading officials of the Ottoman government during the genocide, and these telegrams contain orders and instructions related to the killings. German officials were able to intercept and decode these telegrams, providing critical evidence of the Ottoman government’s involvement in the genocide.
In addition to the Talaat Pasha Telegrams, there are many other documents in the German archives related to the genocide. These include reports and correspondence from German diplomats and military officers who witnessed the events, as well as letters and other materials from German civilians living in the Ottoman Empire at the time.
The German archives have played a significant role in helping scholars and historians understand the Armenian Genocide. They have provided important evidence that has helped to confirm the historical accuracy of accounts of the genocide, and have shed light on the role of the German government and military in the events.
It’s worth noting that some of these documents were not made public until many years after the genocide. For example, the Talaat Pasha Telegrams were not published until the 1970s, and it was not until the 2000s that the full extent of Germany’s role in the genocide became widely known. Nonetheless, these documents have been instrumental in helping to bring greater awareness and understanding of this tragic chapter in history.
The Talaat Pasha telegrams are a collection of official communications that were exchanged between Ottoman officials during the time of the Armenian Genocide. They are named after Talaat Pasha, the Ottoman Minister of Interior at the time, who was responsible for the implementation of the genocide. The telegrams were discovered in the Ottoman archives in Istanbul in the 1990s and have since been used as key evidence of the Ottoman government’s involvement in the genocide.
The telegrams are written in Ottoman Turkish and have been translated into various languages, including English. They provide detailed instructions from Ottoman officials about the deportation and extermination of Armenians, as well as reports of massacres and other atrocities committed against them. The telegrams are significant because they provide direct evidence of the Ottoman government’s role in the genocide and contradict previous claims that the killings were the result of local actions by rogue officials or groups.
“From Talaat Pasha to the Governor of Diyarbakir Province – July 4, 1915.
The annihilation of the Armenians and the Assyrians is urgent and cannot be delayed. We have already delayed and lost much time. It is imperative that the decision be implemented before anything untoward happens. It is urgent that you carry out the decision without further delay, and without mercy or compassion. Preserve order in the region while you carry out the decision. Be certain that nothing unwanted happens. Inform us about the situation frequently and regularly.
Talaat Pasha
“Ankara, 27 May 1915
To the Commander of the 4th Army Corps,
The whole Armenian population of Bitlis should be deported to the south. No distinction should be made between the guilty and the innocent. I request you give the necessary orders.
Enver Pasha
From Talaat Pasha to Cemal Pasha, dated 4 March 1915:
“Reports of the commission reveal that the Armenians are not content with their present position, but are in constant communication with Russia and trying to incite a rebellion. Therefore, as a military necessity, we have decided to collect and deport those Armenians living in the war zone, and those living in other parts of the country who are working against us. The deportation must be carried out in such a way as to avoid any unnecessary suffering and hardship. I request that you issue the necessary instructions to ensure that the provisions of this decision are carried out with the utmost care and humanity.”
[1]It should be noted that the term "deportation" was often used as a euphemism for the forced relocation and extermination of the Armenian population.
July 29, 1915
Original Ottoman Turkish:
“Sayın Enver paşa beyefendiye, Terkib-i askerîmiz, bizi muzaffer etmiş olan mevcudiyet-i askeriyemize mutlak surette muhtaçtır. Hâlen gayet şiddetli cephe koşulları ve ağır iklim şartları altında savaşan ordumuzun, gösterdiği fedakarlık ve kahramanlığı takdir etmek bizim görevimizdir. Fakat, azalmakta olan nüfusumuz, takviye alamayan yaralılarımız, çok daha ağır koşullarda savaşmak zorunda kalıyorlar. Ordu, cephede savaşırken ülkenin geri kalan kısmı, orduya lojistik desteği sağlamak için çalışmalıdır. Ayrıca, orduyu desteklemek ve ülkemizi içerisinde bulunduğu savaştan kurtarmak için yeni yöntemler ve kaynaklar bulmalıyız. Bu nedenle, sıkı yönetim koşullarının hayata geçirilmesi gerekiyor. Hükümetinizi bu konuda daha fazla bilgilendirmenizi rica ederim.
Talat.
English translation: “To the esteemed Mr. Enver Pasha, Our military is absolutely dependent on the existence of our victorious armed forces. It is our duty to appreciate the sacrifices and heroism of our army, which is currently fighting under extremely difficult battlefield and harsh climate conditions. However, our decreasing population and our injured soldiers who cannot be reinforced are fighting under much harder conditions. While our army fights on the front lines, the rest of the country should work to provide logistical support to the army. In addition, we must find new methods and resources to support our army and save our country from the war it is in. Therefore, strict management conditions must be implemented. I request that you inform your government further on this matter. Talat.”
References
| ↑1 | It should be noted that the term "deportation" was often used as a euphemism for the forced relocation and extermination of the Armenian population. |
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