“The Report of Niles and Sutherland” by Justin McCarthy
Kongreye sunulan bildiriler: XI Türk Tarih Kongresi, Ankara, 1990, Pp,1809-1853
The Report of Niles and Sutherland
The following is a copy of the Niles and Sutherland Report as it appears in the draft copy in the United States National Archives. Being a draft, it contains infelicities of language, mistakes in paragraph numbering, confusind nomenclature, etc. These do not interfere with the message of the report. (Any editorial explanations are in brackets or footnotes).
Constantinople, Aug.16th, 1919
Report of Captain Emory H.Niles and Mr.Arthur E.Sutherland Jr. On trip of Investigation through Eastern Turkish Vilayets.(provinces)
1.Introduction
a. In accordance with orders from Headquarters Constantinople, 25th of June, 1919, a party consisting of Captain Emory H.Niles and Mr.Arthur E.Sutherland,Jr , left Derindje on the 3rd of July 1919 via the Bagdad Railway fort he purpose of investigating conditions in the Eastern vilayets of Turkey, with a view of ascertaining the needs of this region in regard to Relief and the possibility of furnishing such Relief by the ACRNE (American Committee for Relief in the Near East—‘Near East Relief’)
b. We proceeded by rail from Derindje to Aleppo, at which point we made an unsuccessfull attempt to engage a Turkish interpreter and a cook. After three days delay we proceeded by rail to Mardin, at which point the territory to be investigated begins. At Mardin we engaged Osman Rohi, a Turkish medical student, who had been discharged from the Army, as interpreter, but we were unable to engage a cook. Two an done-half days were spent by us in preparations, and on the 14th of July, we left Mardin on horseback for Bitlis accompanied by a guard of Turkish soldiers. From Mardin to Bitlis and Bitlis to Van the journey was made on horseback; from Van to Bayazid in carriages; from Bayazid to Erzurum by horse, carriage and railroad ; and from Erzurum to Trebizond by automobile.
The following is a detailed itinerary of the journey: (see photo-page: 1825, 1826, 1827)
d. The object of this report is to summarize our obserbations as recorded in notes made at the time. This report should be taken in conjunction with these notes and not separately.
II. General Situation
The country through which we traveled falls generally into four regions ; first – from Mardin to Bitlis ; second from Bitlis through Van to Bayazid ; third, the frontier region from Bayazid through Erzurum, and fourth the Black Sea region depending on Trebizond. (Trabzon)
a. The region from Mardin to Bitlis consists of the upper Mesopotamian plains and the mountainous region bordering them on the North. It is a country untouched by the war, for no fighting was done South of Bitlis. It is inhabited entirely by Kurdish tribes who are engaged in raising cattle and cultivating the land by primitive means. There are no good roads in the region which is practically inaccessible for any transportation except pack animals.
We found that the harvest this year is excellent and that there is no fear of want fort he coming winter. The whole population seems peaceable and contented and there is no need fort he ACRNE to concern itself with work there.
b. The second region, from Bitlis through Van to Bayazid, may be described as the basin of Lake Van. It is a district of high mountains and bad roads. In this region there was heavy fighting between the Russians and Armenians and the Turks. There were pillage and massacres committed, with the result that the district was completely ruined. The cities of Bitlis and Van are both more than nine-tenths destroyed, and a large majority of the villages were destroyed also. The country is one of bare mountains and ruins. Last year there was great want in this region, but as a result of the work of returned refugees much of the land is now under cultivation and the coming harvest will support the existing population through the winter. In the two cities, however and in Van particularly there is need of institutional work of the ACRNE.
The population consists chiefly of returned Mussulman inhabitants who have taken the Armenian villages left intact, anda re now working the land. There is also a considerable number of Mussulman refugees (Kurds) from the Armenian Caucasus, now supported partially by the government. Finally, there are a few hundred Armenians, a remnant of those who resisted the Turks, on one of the islands of Lake Van.
In this entire region we were informed that the damage and destruction had been done by the Armenians, who after the Russians retired, remained in occuğation of the country, and who when the Turkish army advanced, destroyed everything belonging to the Musulmans.
Moreover, the Armenians are accused of having committed murder, rape, arson and horrible atrocities of every description upon the Musulman population. At first we were incredolous of these stories, but we finally came to believe them, since the testimony was absolutely unanimous and was corroborated by material evidence.
For instance, the only quarters left all intact in the cities of Bitlis and Van are the Armenian quarters, as was evidenced by churches and inscriptions on the houses, while the Musulman quarters were completely destroyed. Villages said to have been Armenian were still standing, whereas Musulman villages were completely destroyed.
The verbal testimony of the inhabitants regarding personel atrocities was supported by the violent hatred of Armenians manifested everywhere. At every town and village at which we stopped the inhabitants first desire was to tell us, not of their needs, but of horrors which the Armenians had committed upon them and their families, the details of which were almost exactly the same as those perpetrated by the Turks upon the Armenians. We believe that it is incontestable that the Armenians were guilty of crimes of the same natüre against the Turks as those of which the Turks are guilty against the Armenians.
An inevitable result of the feelings of the inhabitants is that it is impossible for any Armenian to come into the region to live, without any regard to the number of troops which may be stationed there.
c. The third region from Bayazid to Erzurum and beyond may be termed the “Erzurum Frontier region” and consists of a series of plains surrounded by mountains, and inhabited by Turks, Kurds and Kurdish refugees from the Caucasus. In this region there was much fighting, and the villages and towns are almost completely destroyed. Morover the present inhabitants have had no opportunity to cultivate the land and there is therefore insufficient food fort he coming winter. There are very imperfect communications and consequently the natives have been unable to procure seed or grain for bread. They are now subsisting largely on “grass” which means a sort of wild vegetable named “Ebehgumedgi” (Ebegümeci) and a wild grain named “Everik”, neither of which have much food value. Catlle are very scarce and consequently milk products cannot be made. Already famine is reported, although the report is probably exaggerated, but it is certain that the inhabitants of this region will suffer and die in large numbers next winter unless some outside food relief is provided.
Included in this district is the city of Erzurum in which there is need of institutional work. At Bayazid also there is institutional need, although neither of these places are in as bad as state of material ruin as Van of Bitlis. Although difficult transportation of supplies to the region is possible. There is an auto road from Trebizond (Trabzon) to Erzerum (Erzurum), an auto road from Kars to Erzerum through Khorasan (Horasan) and Hasan Kale, and a railroad ?Ekkh? Takto in Persai on the Batum-Tiflis Railway to Kara Kilissa (Kara Kilise).
In this region the racial situation is intensely aggravated by the proximity to the frontier of Armenia, from which refugess are coming with stories of massacres, cruelty and atrocities carried on by the Armenian Government, Army and people against the Musulman population.
Although several hundred Armenians are actually living in the vilayet of Van, it would seem impossible that Armenians could live in the rural regions of the vilayet of Erzurum, since the utmost hatred of them is manifested by all. Here also the Armenians before retiring ruined villages, carried out massacres and perpetrated every kind of atrocity upon the Musulman population and the doings of the Armenians just over the frontier keep alive and active the hatred of the Armenians, a hatred that seems to be at least smouldering in the region of Van. That there are disoreders and crimes in Armenia is confirmed by refugees from Armenia in all parts of the region and by a British officer at Erzurum.
Although we were unable to see it personally we were told that the region of Erzindjan (Erzincan) is in very great need. It seems probable that the same conditions prevail there as in the neighborhood of Erzerum, since the country is similar, it was fought over at the same time and the causes of want are the same. We saw the country as far as Namoukatoon, and it was in a condition exactly like that east of Erzerum. The country to the northwest as far as Baiburt (Bayburt) seems to be in the same state of ruin and want as well.
An important indication of the general feeling against Armenians in this region is the congress being held at Erzurum when we were there to protest against any annexation of Turkish territory to Armenia.
d. The fourth region is the watershed leading to the Black Sea and depending on Trebizond (Trabzon) and smaller Balck Sea ports. It is a region of mountain sides, fertile and well-watered, inhabited largely by Greeks. As far as we could judge, the inhabitans were in no need. Owing to the fact that this region is already being assisted by the ACRNE, we maden o attemt at investigation.
(see photos 1831)
2. Population
City of Bitlis Before War August 1919
Musulman 30.000 4.000
Armenian 10.000 ---
There are no refugees from other places in the city. Those who fled from Bitlis are coming back slowly. The population of the city is 50% Turks and 50% Kurds. In the vilayet the population is almost exclusively Kurd.
3. Destruction
City of Bitlis Houses Intact
Before War August 1919
Musulman 6.500 --
Armenian 1.500 1.000
About nine-tenths of the town is destroyed, chiefly through neglect, since roofs are of mud and mud is used in walls instead of cement. Walls of most houses are still standing, but roofs, Windows and all furniture are göne. Mosques, shops, public buildings and bridges are destroyed. The Armenians quarters are those which have suffered least, and almost the entire population is now housed in Armenian buildings.
Buildings materials can be found in the ruins sufficient fort he needs of the present population. Wood is scarcei but cut stone is abundant and mud is used form artar. There is abundant wood in the mountains to the South.
a. The American buildings are not destroyed. The walls, roofs and floors are still intact, but Windows and furniture are göne and the whole compound is in a state of filth and decay.
b. Turks are rebuilding about 100 Armenian houses with consent of the Government.
4.Food
Although the governor-general thinks the food supplies will not suffice for next winter, other officials think there will be no lack. We observed large quantities of grain both to the South and in the region to the North of Bitlis. We believe that there will not be famine in this region next winter.
(See photo 1833)
2 Population
a. Vilayet of Van Before War August 1919
Musulmans 301.000 150.000
Armenians 68.000 700
Nestorians 42.000 ---
All present population are returned emigrants. On the basis that 50% of those who emigrated are killed there are expected in this region:
Musulman 75.000
Armenian 34.000
Total 109.000
But this basis in inexact. Probably not more that 50.000 persons are still alive.
b. City of Van Before War August 1919
Musulmans 43.000 5.000
Armenians 35.000 60*
Total 78.000 5.060
*not including about 100 in the orphanage and hospital.
3. Destruction
a. Vilayet of Van Villages
Before War Intact 1919
Musulmans 1.373 350 (repaired)
Armenians 112 ---
187 200 (both)
Total 1.672 550
Rebuilding proceeds Daily and Vali (governer) expects that by end of year not more that 300 villages will remain in condition of absolute destruction. When villages are repaired they may not be as large as before, but some houses at least are habitable.
c. City of Van Houses
Before War August 1919
Musulman 3.400 3
Armenian 3.100 1.170
(see photo 1835, 1836,1837)
Orphanage contains 40 girls and 43 boys, about one-third of whom are Armenians.
(so two-third are Musulmans !- SB)
(see photo 1838, 1839)
Sandjak (Sancak) of Bayazid
Number of Musulmans killed by Armenians in this region is 7.000. And 205 Musulman villages are destroyed, while the Armenian villages are intact !
(see photo 1840)
d. It was at Bayazid that Musulmans refugees of the Caucasus made their strongest appeal on account of atrocities committed by Armenians, upon them and those Musulmans who remain. The notes taken at the time Show what the Armenians are doing now in Caucasus and what they did at Bayazid during their occupation. There is amost intense bitterness and thirst for revenge against the Armenians here, and it would be utterly out of the question for a single Armenian to come into the country tol ive. It is equally impossible for a Musulman to go into Armenia. We tried to get a man to take a letter to Erivan, but no one could be found who would undertake to go.
(Because, Erivan was once a Turkish city, nobody lives there now!- SB)
(see photo 1841)
c. It is strongly recommended that the situation of Musulmans int the Caucasus be investigated and if the statements of refugees be found true, that energetic steps be taken to bring the Armenian government to repress massacress and atrocities at present going on. Whatever haas occurred in the past, and whatever the rights and wrongs of the case may be, the disorders now occuring merely keep alive the hatred of Musulmans and Armenians and make a final peaceful settlement further distant and more difficult.
(But today in 2015 , we the Turks don’t hate them, are not in hostile behavoir, but the Armenians, are in hostile behavoir, and grow up with hatred. False allegations of them to us, that’s what makes us upset! SB)
D. Erzurum, Frontier District, i.e. Diadin, Kara Kilissa, Alashgird, Zeidekan, Velibaba, Khorasan, Keupri Keui, Jaghan, Hassan Kale, İlidja, Karabijik, Baiburt.
1.Roads
The Region from Bayazıd along the frontier to Erzurum comprises a district about 300 kilometres in length, consisting of a series of oval shaped plains surrounded by high mountains, through which run rivers draining the plains. At the east the principal river is the Araxes, which flows east into the Caspian Sea, and at the West the chief river is the Euphrates, which at this point flows West towards Erzindjan. The region has been fought over and was occupied for a considerable time by the Russians in 1916.
During their occupation, the Russians made many improvements in the way of communications, building roads and railroads. On the Russian retirement, however, the Armenians destroyed many of the Russian improvements and most of the Musulman villages, they massacred the Musulman inhabitants, and retired leaving the country in a complete state of desolation.
At the present time there is only one road available for automobiles east of Erzurum – that leading from Erzurum through Hassan Kale, Keupri Keui (Köprü Köy) and Khorasan (Horasan) over the frontier to Sari Kamish (Sarı Kamış) and Kars. A narrow gauge railroad follows the same route, but the section in operation ends at Khorasan, about 100 km. east of Erzurum. From Khorasan east through Veli Baba, Zeidekan and Alashgird (Eleşgirt) to Kara Kilissa (Kara Kilise) east about 100 km. through Diadin to Bayazıd there is a narrow gauge railroad in operation. This road leads to Shakh taktu, in Persia , the junction with the Batoum railway, but this last section, though intact, is not in operation.
Thus both the eastern and western section of the district between Erzurum and the Armenia frontier are accessbile; but the central section, where the need is greatest in not. The region West of Erzurum is accessible by the automobile roads between Trebizond, Erzurum and Erzindjan (Erzincan); it is a region (that) includes İlidja, Karabıyık, Namoukatoun and Baiburt. The whole country under consideration is in the vilayet of Erzurum, and statistics for it were obtained both from the inhabitants of certain towns and from the central authorities at Erzurum. These figures are to be found in the reports appended.
(see photo 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848, 1849)
IV.ATROCITIES
Although it does not fall, within the excat scope of our investigation one of the most salient facts impressed on us at every point from Bitlis to Trebizond was that in the region which we traversed the Armenians committed upon the Turks all the crimes and outrages which were committed in other regions by Turks upon Armenians.
At first we were most incredulous of the stories told us, but the unanimity of the testimony of all witness, the apparent eagerness with which they told of wrongs done them, their evident hatred of Armenians, and strongest of all, the material evidence on the ground itself, have convinced us the general truth of the facts, first, that Armenians massacred Musulmans on a large sacel with many refinements of cruelty, and second that Armenians are responsible for most of the destruction done to towns and villages.
The Russians and Armenians occupied the country for a considerable time together in 1915 and 1916, and during this period there was apperantly little disorder, although doubtless there was damage committed by the Russians. In 1917 the Russians Army disbanded and left the Armenians alone in control. At this period bands of Armenian irregulars roamed the coutry pillaging and murdering the Musulman civilian population. When the Turkish Army advanced at Erzindjan, Erzurum and Van the Armenian army broke down and all of the soldiers, regular and irregular, turned themselves to destroying Musulman property and committing atrocities upon Musulman inhabitants.
The result is a country completely ruined, containing about one-fourth of its fromer population an done-eight of its former buildings, and a most bitter hatred (of) Musulmans for Armenians which makes it impossible for two races tol ive together at the present time. The Musulmans protest that if they are forced tol ive under an Armenian Government, they will fight, and it appears to us that they will probably carry out this threat. This view is shared by Turkish officers, British officers and Americans whom we have met.
A further aggravating condition is the state of affairs across the border. We have no way of knowing how far the complaints of the refugess prove true and how far the Musulmans are themselves to blame by organizing resistance to the Armenians. In any case the inhabitants of the Turkish side of the frontier believe that their co-religionists on the Armenian side are being massacred and treated with utmost cruelty and this belief intensifies the feeling against the Armenians. It is most strongly urged that conditions in the Caucasus be investigated with a view to ascertaining the true state of affairs, and if the Musulman reports are true, that steps be taken in order to prevent disorders that make a permanent settlement in this region more difficult that the present circumstances already make inevitable.
The report of Niles and Sutherland by Justin McCarthy - pdf
Footnote:
"The Turkish government has more than once declared that it was ready to consider and eventually accept the conclusion of historians and legal experts who will meet to study the tragic events of 1915–1916; but Yerevan refused. Nevertheless, Ankara has since 2004 supported the Vienna platform, which in 2009 published a large compilation of documents. Turkey gave full access to its archives – unlike the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the Armenian Patriarchate at Jerusalem."
ERMENİ KIPÇAKLARI MI , GREGORYEN KIPÇAKLAR MI?
GREGORYEN KIPÇAKLAR VE ONİKİ HAYVANLI TÜRK TAKVİMİ ÜZERİNE
Öşvank Kilisesi ve Manastırı
KIPÇAKLAR - Prof.Dr.M.Fahrettin Kırzıoğlu
KUMAN-KIPÇAK / CUMAN-KIPCHAK
KUMAN-KIPÇAK / CUMAN-KIPCHAK
SARIŞIN VE MAVİ GÖZLÜ TÜRKLER
Kars Tarihi
Turkish petroglyphs in Armenia
Armenian Falsifications
VAN LAKE TURKiSH MASSACRES
Atrocities committed by the Armenians I
Armenian Activities in the Archive Documents of General Staff of the Republic of Turkey
Excellent legal arguments against the allegations of Armenian genocide
Some Facts and Thoughts Regarding the European Parliament’s Resolution on Armenian Genocide Claims
GREGORYEN KIPÇAKLAR VE ONİKİ HAYVANLI TÜRK TAKVİMİ ÜZERİNE
Öşvank Kilisesi ve Manastırı
KIPÇAKLAR - Prof.Dr.M.Fahrettin Kırzıoğlu
KUMAN-KIPÇAK / CUMAN-KIPCHAK
KUMAN-KIPÇAK / CUMAN-KIPCHAK
SARIŞIN VE MAVİ GÖZLÜ TÜRKLER
Kars Tarihi
Turkish petroglyphs in Armenia
Armenian Falsifications
VAN LAKE TURKiSH MASSACRES
Atrocities committed by the Armenians I
Armenian Activities in the Archive Documents of General Staff of the Republic of Turkey
Excellent legal arguments against the allegations of Armenian genocide
Some Facts and Thoughts Regarding the European Parliament’s Resolution on Armenian Genocide Claims
"According the US archives,47 644,900 Armenians returned and settled in Anatolia after the war, even before the Treaty of Sevres was signed."
"The Republic of Turkey, which settled the issue of Ottoman debts in accordance with the Treaty of Lausanne, also paid US$899,840 (dollars of the 1930s) to the US government for distribution to its citizens on the basis of the Agreement of 24 December 1923 and Supplemental Agreements, concluded and implemented between the US and Turkey. The Supplemental Agreement of 25 October 1934 concluded by the two governments provided for the settlement of the outstanding claims of the nationals of each country against the other; Article II of the agreement is as follows:
The two Governments agree that, by the payment of the aforesaid sum [$1,300,000], the Government of the Republic of Turkey will be released from liability with respect to all of the above-mentioned claims formulated against it and further agree that every claim embraced by the Agreement of December 24, 1923, shall be considered and treated as finally settled.
The last US report in 1937 finally estimated that the principal and interest amounted to US$899,840.56 It is remarkable that not a single claimant with an Armenian name was considered by the American civil servants to have made a credible case of seizure and/or destruction of property."
"The fact that Turkey does not recognize the 1915–1916 events as a crime of genocide does not violate the 1948 Convention. One should emphasize that if Armenia had seen the slightest evidence of Turkey’s responsibility in the matter, it would have attempted to bring the case before the ICJ many years ago.
It should be clear from the above that:
the Turkish Republic paid all the Ottoman debts;
the tribunals of the Ottoman state tried those who infringed Ottoman laws during the relocation of the Ottoman Armenians;
amnesty was declared for all other suspects and/or criminals.
We believe that no one now has the right to make any kind of demand of Turkey regarding the events which took place before the signing of the above-mentioned Moscow, Kars, Ankara, and Lausanne Treaties58 and the Claim Settlement Agreement with the US.
Finally, we are of the opinion that those who complain of an internationally wrongful act for which the Turkish Republic is responsible may be well advised to take their complaints to the relevant international institutions, like the UN, the ICJ, the Council of Europe, or any other similar establishment, instead of making very questionable accusations."
Pulat Tacar
Co-Chairperson of the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO (1995–2006); he was Ambassador of Turkey to UNESCO (1989–1995), Ambassador of Turkey to the European Communities (1984–1987) and to Jakarta (1981–1984).
and Maxime Gauin
researcher at the International Strategic Research Organization (USAK, Ankara) and a PhD candidate at the Middle East Technical University
Kaynak : Yüzbaşı Emory Niles ve Mr. Arthur Sutherland, (1919 yılında) Amerika Birleşik Devletleri tarafından doğu Anadoludaki durumu soruşturmak için görevlendirilmiş Amerikalılardı. Raporları, [yardım kuruluşu] Near East Relif için Amerikalı komisyon tarafından Ermenilere destek yardımı vermek için kaynak olarak kullanılmışdı [U.S. 867.00/1005]. Justin McCarthy - "Ölüm ve Sürgün"
