Ministry of Internal Affairs
General Directorate of National Police Organization
Following is the copy of the coded telegram received from the
Governor of Adana and dated February 26, 1915.
Three Armenians had been caught as they were attempting to take refuge on board an enemy battleship on February 12, 1915 in Dörtyol1 region – namely Ibrahim, a teacher from Adana; Artin and Bedros from Dörtyol. Upon this I went to Erzin2. Taking the preliminary measures I have issued my orders for those who are concerned. Someone called Agop from Dörtyol has been caught by our military patrols among the reeds on the shore in the same region on February 24, 1915. This person, in his testimony said that they were dispatched to take refuge on board the enemy battleship in order to denounce the Turkish Army positions, and that they were ready to defend themselves with their arms even against the weakest Turkish forces, that they were ready to massacre the Turks in the region as they were not comfortable in Turkey; he furthermore, claimed that he was acting in line with the decisions taken at the meetings, he has also given the names of the members who were present.
Under the light of the information received the suspects have been arrested, and the necessary measures have been taken. According to the information received from the Office of the Kaimakam a glass mirror with a frame belonging to a Heliosta device – two sides black and the middle is red – has been discovered, on February 25, 1915, among the reeds on the shores of Payas1 district of the Azirli village 34 km. ahead of the railroad leading to Iskenderun. Thus, I have given my orders to Avni Bey, Commander of the Gendarmerie Regiment in Osmaniye, and informed the regional commander in Erzin on the phone. I have ordered the relocation of all the Armenians in Dörtyol in Osmaniye, Ceyhan, and in Adana. I hereby would like to declare that, I have also ordered the sending of those who are arrested for hanging of the posters, prepared by the Hinjack committee, in Kozan, advertising upheavals against the government, immediately to the courts-martial, and informed the local administrators for taking due measures in the towns.
Ministry of Internal Affairs
General Directorate of National Police Organization
To The Office of Commander-in-Chief of Ottoman Armies
Attached is the copy of the telegram received from the Governor of Adana, dated February 26, 1915, about the Armenians in Dörtyol. For your further considerations.
February 27, 1915
Minister of Internal Affairs.
There is no need for insisting on taking strict measures for the arrested.
March 5, 1915
To 4th Army Command via Damascus
Someone called Agop from Dörtyol has been caught, on February 24, 1915, in the same region covered with reeds, where three Armenians who were preparing to take refuge on board an enemy battleship had been caught previously on February 12, 1915. Under the light of Agop’s testimony, it has been understood that he was sent in order to inform the enemy ships about their being uncomfortable in Turkey, that there were neither military forces nor guns in their region, and if they were to come with a small force they would join them fully armed and massacre the Turks. In a telegram message received from the Governor of Adana, dated February 26, 1915, it has been noted that the orders have been issued for the arresting of the collaborators, and for the relocation of the Armenians in the region to the environs of Osmaniye and Adana; moreover, it was also stated that the ones who were arrested upon the hanging of the posters inviting people to an uprising against the government, prepared by the Hinjack committee in Kozan district, were being sent to the military courts for trial. These events serve as definite proofs of the Armenian committees’ beginning to take actions in Adana region; furthermore, as these actions hinder peace and order in the region, necessitate the taking of severe measures, and the completion of immediate trials of the arrested or of the ones to-be arrested in order to impede the spreading of the events. Further information will be given in due time about the results of the measures taken.
According to the information sent by the Ministry of Interior, relying on the information they received from the Governor of Adana, it has become evident, after the interrogations held upon the arresting of three Armenians who were trying to take refuge on board an enemy ship, that there were numerous uprising attempts in the region. We hereby request further information on the procedures carried out by the 4th Army Command in line with the orders issued on February 25, 1915, for the arrested.
Ottoman Army
Headquarters
Code received from Jerusalem
Number: 2247
C: February 26, 1915
The necessary measures have already been taken. The restructuring of the 4th Army serves this purpose. The measures are explained below.
1. The detachment in Adana, which is affiliated to the 8th Division, will not leave Adana for the time being.
2. The regional commanders are given the privilege to found martiallaw- courts in the regions where Armenians live, if need be.
3. Relocation of the Armenians living in Aleppo has been ordered; as the position of their present residents, all being in the same district, will not facilitate the stopping of the uprisings in the city.
4. Regional commanders’ fields of authority have been developed.
5. Moreover, it has been ordered that all the loyal citizens will be met with utmost kindness and compassion.
February 28, 1915 4th Army Comma
