BELFAST NEWS-LETTER, TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1922
TURKISH ATROCITIES
HARROWING STORIES.
Christians Done to Death by the Thousand.
BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S ACTION.
The British Government has received confirmation that the Turks in Asia Minor are still pursuing the policy of deliberately exterminating Christian minorities in Asia Minor.
Mr. Chamberlain in the House of Commons yesterday read a harrowing story of how many thousands of people have been done to death. He added that the Government was seeking the co-operation of France, Italy, and America in making further investigations with a view to action.___________
Mr. T.P. O’Connor (N.) asked the Lord Privy Seal whether on the receipt of confirmation of the statement that the Turks in Asia Minor had murdered 10,000 Greeks, followed by the seizure of their widows and daughters for transfer to Turkish harems and the starvation to death of their children, any representation was sent to the Kemalist authorities or those of Constantinople pointing out the inevitable effect such atrocities must have on the coming decisions of the Powers with regard to the future relations of Turkey and Greece, and especially with regard to the demand of the Kemalists for the evacuation of Asia Minor by the Greek troops; and whether if such a remonstrance had not been already issued, one would be immediately dispatched.
Mr. Chamberlain said confirmation had been rereived of the statements contained in the recent report by Major Yowell. He read two telegrams received from his Majesty’s High Commissioner at Constantinople, in which he said Dr. Ward, of the Near Eastern Relief Commission, who had just arrived from Kharput, corroborated the statements as to the treatment of minorities contained in a telegram from Constantinople published in the “Times” of 5th May. The Turks appeared to be working on a deliberate plan to get rid of minorities. Their method had been to collect Greeks and march them from place to place until large numbers die on the road from hardship and exposure. The Turks chose the winter weather for driving deportees into the mountains. The American relief organization was not allowed to shelter children whose parents had died on the road.
Dr. Ward in December counted 150 bodies between Kharput and Malatia; while a fellow worker counted 1,500 bodies on the road to Kharput and 2,000 deportees died on the road east of that place. Fresh deportation outrages were starting in all parts of Asia Minor, and Dr. Ward considered that if action was not taken soon the problem would be solved by the disappearance of minorities.
Mr. Chamberlain, continuing, said:—The Turks have been repeatedly warned that those atrocities -which have now been going on almost contiuously for over seven years-would adversely affect
Allied public opinion and policy; but all warnings and protests have been without effect. His Majesty’s Government, who have in the proposed terms of peace assumed serious responsibility for the future protection of minorities, can not allow such reports to remain uninvestigated or such incidents to continue unchecked.
They have therefore proposed to the French, Italian, and American Governments a line of common action. It was proposed that each Government should send a carefully selected officer to investigate. If the Angora Government refused facilities for investigation his Majesty’s Government would have to reconsider their entire attitude towards the Peace proposals.
It was inconceivable that Europe should agree to hand back to Turkish rule, without the most stringent guarantees, communities which would be liable to be treated in the manner described by competent American witnesses, whose reports were confirmed by independent information in possession of the British Government.
Lord R. Cecil (Ind.) asked whether, in order to avoid any possible delay, the right hon. gentleman could intimate that in the event of our Allies not being ready to join in this matter we should proceed to action by ourselves, and whether he would consider the desirability of forthwith sending similar observation officers to the Smyrna district where it was only too possible that reprisals against the Turks might take place.
Mr. Chamberlain —I hope my noble friend will give me notice of both these questions.
Sir. J. Rees (Co. U.)—Is the right honorable gentleman aware that the allegation of the Turks is that they were not heard at the investigation which resulted in the confirmation of these reports: that the officer chiefly concerned was deported from Anatolia after being concerned in the promotion of rebellion against the Turks by the Greeks in that area; and that their submission is that information will be forth coming that either these massacres did not take place or were not nearly so serious as was represented? (“Oh,”)
Mr. Chamberlain—If that is the attitude of the Angora Turks, they should obviously welcome the impartial investigation by the Powers that we have invited.
Mr. Mills (Lab.) asked if Mr. Chamberlain was aware that the initiative was taken as a result of the determination of the Secretary of Agriculture of New York State in spreading broadcast photographs of thousands of bodies uncovered by the melting snow which he saw during his tour in Armenia!
Mr. Chamberlain—I am not personally aware of the initiative having come from the United States Government, but I hope they will join us.
Typed word for word. (SKK)
(For educational, archival and “fair use” purposes only).
Comment:
Ample evidence existed of the wholesale atrocities done by the Turks on the Christian inhabitants of Asia Minor. Yet, nine months later, the Allied Powers chose to turn their backs on Turkey’s crimes against humanity. In startling contrast, the New York Times reported on February 28, 1923 – Headlines:” Mrs. Kemal Charms An American Visitor” “ Beautiful Bride Pours Tea for Foreign Newspaper Men in Home Near Angora” …
Today, Turkey continues to deny its extermination of 5 million of the original Christian inhabitants of Asia Minor (today’s Turkey).
Today, Turkey boasts of a 99% Moslem population. (SKK)