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[FROM FOREIGN OFFICE PRESS OFFICE FOR PUBLICATION IN MONDAY MORNING PAPERS (23 MAY 1915)].
H.M. GOVERNMENT, IN COMMON WITH THE GOVERNMENTS OF FRANCE AND RUSSIA, MAKE THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC DECLARATION :-
“For about the last month Kurds and the Turkish population of Armenia have been engaged in massacring Armenians with connivance and often with help of ottoman authorities. Such massacres took place about the middle of April, at Erzerum, Dertchan, Egin, Bitlis, Sassoun, Moush, Zeitun, and in all Cilicia.
Inhabitants of about 100 villages near van were all assassinated. In town itself Armenians’ quarter is besieged by Kurds. At the same time ottoman government at Constantinople is raging against inoffensive Armenian population.
In face of these fresh crimes committed by turkey the allied governments announce publicly to the sublime port that they will hold all the members of the ottoman government, as well as such of their agents as are implicated, personally responsible for Armenian massacres.”
PRO, FO371/2488/63095.
VISCOUNT BRYCE: SPEECH IN HOUSE OF LORDS
I am sorry to say that such information as has reached me from many quarters goes to show that the figure of 800.000 which the noble earl thought incredible as a possible total for those who have been destroyed since may last is, unfortunately, quite a possible number. That is because the proceedings taken have been so absolutely premeditated and systematic. The massacres are the result of a policy which, as far as can be ascertained, has been entertained for some considerable time by the gang who are now in possession of the government of the Turkish Empire.
House of Lords, Hansard (5th Series), Vol. Xix, 6 October 1915, Cols. 994-1004
REPORT ON THE FORCED EXILE OF THE REMAINING ARMENIANS FROM AINTAB AND MARASH
LORD ROBERT CECIL. THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SPEECH IN HOUSE OF COMMONS
I think it may be said, without the least fear of exaggeration, that no more horrible crime has been committed in the history of the world…. this is a premeditative crime determined on long ago…. it was a long-considered, deliberate policy to destroy and wipe out of existence the Armenians in turkey. It was systematically carried out. it was ordered from above…
House Of Commons, Hansard (5th Series), Vol. LXXV, 16 November 1915, Cols. 1770-1776.
SITUATION IN TURKISH DISTRICTS NEAR SYRIAN NORTHERN FRONTIER.
BRITISH CONSULATE ALEPPO, 15 November 1922
My Lord,
I have the honour to report that on November 8 the Turks gave notice to the Armenians of Aintab & Marash and of the district, stretching Eastward to Birejik, that they must all leave the country in a month. This is done in pursuance of the policy that no Christians are to be allowed to stay in Turkey. Aintab which formerly held 40000 Armenians now contains only 3000.
The French Consular Representative in Aintab, Mr. de Sandfort, has been transferred to Adana and has not been replaced. I have the honor to be, With the highest respect, My Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient, Humble servant (signed) James Morgan Consul Copies to British High Commissioners, Constantinople, Cairo, Jerusalem and Bagdad. " " British Consuls, Beyrout and Damascus, G. H. Q., Cairo and British Liaison Officer, Beyrout, London S.W.1
PRO reference:-FO 371/7875/18/E 13426 Armenian National Institute
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