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APRIL 24, 1915
The Ottoman government, against
Armenian revolts starting from 1890’s and Armenian massacres
which resulted with murders of tens of thousands of Turks,
informed high members of Armenian congregation and the Armenian
deputies that “Government will take necessary measures,
if the Armenians continue to stab back the Ottoman State and
to kill Turks”. The Ottoman government’s efforts to stop
the events could be clarified with documents.
However, it became a necessity
to secure the behind lines as the army was in war more than
one fronts, the events did not stop on the contrary they increased.
The Armenian attacks on innocent and defenseless Turkish women
and children became a vital problem.
Under these circumstances,
on April 24, 1915 Armenian Committees were closed by the Ottoman
Government and 2345 leaders of these committees were arrested
due to their antigovernmental activities. April 24, which
is commemorated annually as “Anniversary of Armenian so-called
Genocide” by Armenians abroad is this date when 2345 revolutionary
committee members were arrested and this day is irrelevant
with the Relocation Implementation.
However, Armenian revolutionary
committee members always used this a propaganda rule by distorting
and exaggerating the facts. As a matter of fact, Ecmiyazin
Catholicos Kevork sent a telegraph to the President of USA,
stating:
“Dear President, we have been informed that in Turkish Armenia, massacres began
and the lives of the Armenians are in danger. At this delicate
moment, I address to the noble feelings of Excellency and
the great American Nation and in the name of humanity and
Christianity, I invite you to interfere Turkey by your Great
Republic’s diplomatic representatives and protect my people
who were left to fanatic violence of the Turks.
Kevork, Archbishop and Catholicos of all Armenians.”
Russian Ambassador for Washington’s
contacts with the US government followed Kevork’s telegraphs.
Thus, 24 April, the day, which the Armenian committee
members were arrested for their illegal activities was begun
to be referred as “the day of so-called Armenian genocide
by Turks”.
REFERENCE:
Gürün, Kamuran, Ermeni
Dosyasi, TTK Basimevi, Ankara, 1983, s.210-211
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