ANNEXE F: STATISTICAL ESTIMATE INCLUDED IN THE FIFTH BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR ARMENIAN AND SYRIAN RELIEF, DATED NEW YORK, 24th MAY, 1916.

1. The Extent of the Catastrophe.

The most extensive and most difficult work carried on by the American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief lies within the borders of the Turkish Empire. Here, in January, 1915, the Armenians numbered between sixteen hundred thousand and two million. Precise statistics do not exist. The estimates of the Turkish Government are usually considered to be too low and those of the Armenian Patriarchate sometimes too high, suggesting a tendency in the one case to minimize and in the other to exaggerate the size and consequent importance of the Armenian population.

Twelve months later, in January, 1916, from one-third to one-half of the Armenians in Turkey had fallen victims of deportation, disease, starvation or massacre.

As we note from a letter of Dr. Wilson’s, dated Erivan, Russian Caucasus, 4th February, 1916, there were then 182,800 Armenian refugees in the Caucasus and 12,100 in the districts of Turkey at that time conquered by the Russians. The subsequent extensions of the Russian conquests towards the west and south have brought to light numbers of Armenians who were in hiding. At the end of 1915, there were also 9,000 Armenian refugees in Salmas, Persia.

All these statistics are subject to fluctuation, due to the removal of the refugees from one region to another and also to the varying dates on which the enumerations or estimates were made. Bearing these critical considerations in mind we may tabulate the best figures as follows:—

Aleppo, Damascus, Zor486,000
Refugees in other parts of Turkey300,000
Russian Caucasus182,800
Armenians in districts of Turkey conquered by Russia12,100
Armenians in Salmas, Persia9,000
989,900

If we may add to these numbers the undeported Armenian populations in Constantinople and Smyrna, perhaps 150,000 in all, we can perhaps estimate the total number of survivors at under 1,150,000. If we accept the estimate that the Armenian population of Turkey at the beginning of 1915 was between 1,600,000 and 2,000,000, we should compute the number of deaths at between 450,000 and 850,000. We shall probably be safe in saying that the Armenian dead number at least 600,000.

Six hundred thousand men, women and children died within a year. There was recently held in New York City a Preparedness Parade, which marched up Fifth Avenue twenty abreast and took about thirteen hours to pass a given point. From 10 a.m. till well into the evening, this great army of over 125,000 continued to tramp up the street. If the Armenian men, women and children who died in Turkey within a twelvemonth should rise again and march in solemn procession to beg the assistance of the American people for their surviving brothers, the procession would not be 125,000, but 600,000, four times as long. Marching twenty abreast it would take two days and two nights to pass Great Reviewing Stand.

The mortality was higher in some regions than in others. From certain Armenian villages in the neighbourhood of Harpout, whose population was about two thousand, only 15·2 per cent. reached the goal of their deportation. Even if we make generous allowance for the number of men from these villages who may be still alive in the Army, and for the women and children who may have saved their lives by becoming Moslems, the mortality is unspeakably high. From other regions perhaps 25 per cent. have reached their goal, after marching hundreds of miles across the mountains down into the hot plains. From those portions of Asia Minor which are so situated that the Railway could assist in the deportation, the percentage of loss of life was far smaller, though here insufficient food and insanitary concentration camps have swollen the tolls of death. Especially from the cities on or near the coast of Cilicia, namely, Mersina, Tarsus and Adana, the deportation did not involve great loss of life. The Armenian inhabitants of Constantinople and of Smyrna, who really live in those cities and had not recently moved thither from the country, have not been deported.

Consequently the total number of surviving Armenians in Turkey is greater than our Committee had feared. The fact that there are more survivors than we at first believed obliges us to enlarge our relief work till it becomes adequate to the crisis.

2. The Needs of the Survivors.

Mr. W.W. Peet, Business Agent and Treasurer of the four Turkish Missions of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions with headquarters at Constantinople, has sent information, received by the State Department on the 17th March, to the effect that there are at least eight hundred thousand refugees in Turkey who need help. One-half or more of these are reported by the American Consul at Aleppo to be in the districts of Damascus, Zor and Aleppo.

The general direction of deportation has been to force the exiles to go by train or on foot to the neighbourhood of Aleppo, whence they have been distributed in two directions. One of these is the region served by the Hidjaz Railway, built a few years ago to meet the needs of the Moslem pilgrims to Mecca. The station of Ma’an, near the ruins of the ancient city of Petra, the point beyond which the Hidjaz Railway has always declined to transport Christians, is the southernmost point where Armenian exiles are to be found.

The other territory to which large numbers of exiles have been deported is the region of Der-el-Zor on the Euphrates, six days’ journey east-south-east of Aleppo. The Armenians have had to walk thither from Aleppo, though some of them struck across by a more direct route from the Armenian cities on the north.

(Here follow, in the original, Documents 139(d) and 14 of this volume.)

Fortunately, the American Consul at Aleppo, Mr. Jackson, has the co-operation of the German Consul, Mr. Roessler in the work of relief.

Certain members of the American Committee have for months felt great anxiety as to the condition of the nearly 500,000 exiles distributed to the region east and south of Aleppo. Details as to their condition have been hard to secure. Now we know what we had suspected before—that many exiles have only grass to eat and that hundreds are dying daily of starvation.

3. The Way for Relief is Now Open.

In 1915, the Turkish Government declined to give cordial co-operation in the work of relieving the necessities of the Armenians. The authorities at Constantinople did not wish to have the Armenians helped by foreigners, because they thought it might encourage some of them in treasonable hopes. Constantinople therefore favoured having the relief money distributed through Turkish officials.

According to the New York Times of the 19th October, 1915, the Turkish Government informed the State Department at Washington that the American Red Cross would not be permitted to send surgeons and nurses to the aid of the Armenians in the Turkish Empire. The Turks barred not merely American Red Cross surgeons, nurses and relief agents, but also all other neutral foreigners.

Early in 1916 some obstacles have fallen. On the 23rd March, 1916, Mr. Phillips, the American Chargé d’Affaires at Constantinople, sent, on behalf of the Constantinople Chapter of the Red Cross, the following significant cablegram to the Secretary of State:—

“Turkish Government now welcomes help, and through Minister of Interior authorizes American Red Cross, co-operating with Red Crescent, to conduct relief work for civilians of all races. Great suffering throughout country, particularly at Constantinople and suburbs along the shores of Marmora, at Adrianople, Broussa and Smyrna. In these regions five hundred thousand, not comprising Armenian refugees, need help for bread. Hundreds dying of starvation. No relief in sight. Sugar and petroleum oil at famine prices. Typhus is spreading, high mortality. For immediate relief ten thousand pounds sterling estimated required for Constantinople Chapter administration before 1st May to procure foodstuffs. For more permanent relief, suggest importation supplies by sea from Roumania and America. Neutrality guaranteed by American Red Cross to Entente Powers. Distribution controlled by Constantinople Chapter through agencies, soup kitchens and dispensary. Some can pay cost price and industrial work proposed for others.”

In answer to this appeal, certain friends of our Committee raised £12,000 sterling and transmitted it to Constantinople, to be distributed by the Turkish Red Crescent for sufferers in Turkey, regardless of religious barriers.[[283]]

INDEX OF PLACES REFERRED TO IN THE
DOCUMENTS IN THIS VOLUME.

The figures placed against the names in this index denote the number of independent witnesses who mention the places in question, in the various connexions specified in the headings to each column. Two or more documents emanating from the same source cannot be regarded as independent testimony and are, therefore, not separately enumerated.

The index includes references to names which have been withheld by the editor himself and are represented in the text by arbitrary signs, but not, of course, references to names which have been withheld from the editor and are represented in the text by blanks. The names of places beyond the Ottoman frontier where refugees have passed or stayed have been placed between brackets, to distinguish them from places in Ottoman territory through or to which exiles have been forcibly conducted by the Ottoman Government.

Massacre, Forcible Conversion, or Deportation, of Armenian Inhabitants.Arrival, Passage of Armenians Deported or taking Flight from Elsewhere.
Name of Place.Armenians Replacement by Moslem Mouhadjirs (immigrants).No Mention of Mouhadjirs.
A.
Abijalu1
Ada1
Adana1113
Adana, vilayet1
Adapazar15
Adiaman—Hussi Mansour3
Adiljevas1
Adranos1
Adrianople2
Afiun Kara-Hissar13
Aghja Daghi1
(Aghtalia)1
Agno1
(Ailar)1
Aintab104
Ak Shehr2
Alabash3
Alashkerd3
Alashkerd District1
Alayund1
Albek1
Albustan51
Aleppo232
Aleppo, vilayet2
Alexandretta1
(Alexandropol)2
(Alexandropol Town and District)1
Alidjan—Aladin2
Amasia72
Angegh1
Angora102
Angora, vilayet2
(Annenfeld)1
Antioch11
Antok1
Arabia2
Arabkir41
Arab-Pounar1
Ardishai1
Ardjish—Akantz5
Arghana2
Arghana Maden1
Armasha1
Armasha Convent1
Arslanbeg1
Artamid1
Artananz1
(Arzap)1
(Ashtarak)2
Asia Minor1
Asi Yozgad1
Atabey1
Attil1
Avazaghpur1
Ayash11
Azizia1
B
Bab2
Babylonia1
Baghdad5
Baghlou1
Baghtché11
Baghtchédjik—Bardezag10
Baibourt81
Bairak2
Bairamoglu1
Bakir Maden1
(Bakou)2
Balikesri1
(Bambak)1
Baranduz1
Barbaroud1
(Barsoun)1
Bashkala61
Batoum1
Bayazid District1
Baz1
Beinam Boghazi1
Beirout11
Beitias2
Beniani1
Benli1
Bergri-Kala2
Berwar1
Besné1
Biredjik1
Bisherig1
Bitlis13
Bitlis, vilayet4
Black Sea Littoral11
Boghaz Kessen2
Bohtan District1
Bor1
Bosphorus, Villages on the Upper1
Boulanik3
Bozanti15
Broussa7
Broussa, vilayet1
C
(Caucasia, Cis—Northern
Caucasia)1
Cilicia5
Constantinople63
Constantinople, American
School at1
Cosi1
D
Dadush1
Damascus8
Darawar1
(Delidjan)3
Degala1
Dengala2
Derdjan1
Deré Keui1
Der-el-Zor19
Derenda2
Dersim11
Develou1
Deyirmeni River2
Dhimotika1
Dilgusha1
Diliman32
Divrig3
Diyarbekir152
Diyarbekir, vilayet3
Djabaghtchour1
Djera1
Djerablous1
(Djevanshir District)1
Djevizlik1
Djeziré1
Djibal Mousa—Mousa Dagh—
Djibal-al-Ahmar3
Djoulamerk1
(Djoulfa)5
Dom1
Döngöl1
Dört Yöl111
Doudjik—Tcharuk Dersim—Tcharik11
Drtadli1
Duzasar1
E
Egin3
(Elenovka)1
(Elizavetpol)1
(Elizavetpol Government)3
Enderessi11
Entilli3
Eregli15
Eremer1
Erendjik1
Erer1
(Erivan)2
(Erivan Government)5
Erzeroum117
Erzeroum, vilayet6
Erzindjan185
Eski Shehr22
Etchangeri—Kiangri—Kingri11
(Etchmiadzin)2
Euphrates District1
Euphrates River5
Euphrates River, Tributaries of1
Euzerli1
Everek2
(Evlakh)1
Ezli1
F
Fekké1
Frank-norshen1
Fundadjak_3
Furnus14
G
Gargar District2
Garjgan1
Gawar4
Geben6
Gegvé1
Gemerek4
Gemleyik1
Geogtapa—Göktepé31
Gereg1
Geulik Station3
Gheizin Han1
Ginj District—Gendjé11
Gishgishla1
Göksoun—Gourksoun2
Gotni1
Govdoun1
Gulpashan6
Gumushkhana2
Gurin2
Gurla1
Gvars2
H
Habesh1
Habousi1
Hadji-Habibli1
Hadjin212
Haftevan2
Haiatzor—Hayotz-Tzor—(?)
Haig Valley2
Hai Keui1
Hama4
Hankeui1
Harni2
Harounia1
Harpout—Kharput213
Hassan1
Hassan-Beyli62
Hassan-Tchelebi1
Hassanova1
Hauran3
Hazaren2
Herag—Erba’a2
Hergerd1
Hirj1
Homs3
Husseinig1
Hussi Mansour1
I
Idlib2
(Igdir)6
Ilidja1
Ineboli1
Iriawa2
Islohia2
Ismayil1
Ismayil Agha’s Kala1
Ismid6
Ismid, sandjak1
Isnik—Nicomedia1
Istanos2
Itchmé11
Izoli Hadji2
K
Kachin Han1
Kahdem1
Kaisaria132
Kaisaria, Villages in
the District of2
Kamakh23
Kamakh Boghaz2
Kangal2
Kapou Kays1
(Karabagh District)1
Karadjalou-Garadjalu2
Karagatch1
Karagöz1
(Karakeliss)2
Karaman1
Kara-Pounar3
Karasu2
Karer1
Karmad1
(Kars)1
(Kars, Town and District)1
Karsakh1
Karspazar2
Karsz1
Kartzor1
Kasha1
Kassaba1
Kavash District2
(Kazakh)1
Kazi Mahara1
Keban1
Keboussia1
(Kedabek)1
Keghi-Kighi4
Keghvank2
Keklik Tepé1
Kelidj2
Kerasond-Kiresoun11
Keremet1
Keshan1
Kesirig1
Kessab4
Ketcheurd-Katchayourt1
Ketch-Magara1
Keumer Han2
Khanishan1
Khantzart District1
Khantzod1
Khashkhaldoukh1
Khaskegh1
Kheder-Bey1
Kheiban1
Khlat1
Khnyss5
Khoi14
Khoronk1
Khorsan1
Khourakhon1
Khozmo Pass1
Kiakhta—Kyakta2
Kilidjlar1
Killis11
Kirk Göz1
Kizil Agatch1
Komer1
Koms-Goms3
Konia617
Konia, vilayet12
Kotchan1
Kotchesur-Kotch Hissar1
Kotmo3
(Kourpalou)1
Kozolouk1
Kudchi1
Kurdistan2
Kurdmeidan1
Kurk1
Kurtapa1
Kurt-Belené1
L
Lappashli1
Lebanon1
Lsounk1
M
Ma’an1
Ma’ara2
Makof1
Malatia44
Malgara11
Maltepé1
Mama Hatoun-Derdjan12
Mamouret1
Mamouret-ul-Aziz, vilayet5
Mandjaluk2
Mansouria—Monsoria1
Maragha1
Marash133
Mar Audishu2
Mardin61
(Markar)1
Marmardjik1
Marmora, Coasts of1
Marsovan15
Marsovan District1
Mayadin1
Mediterranean, Coasts of1
Meghd1
Mekragom1
Melashkerd-Melazkerd2
Mergavar1
Mersina5
Meskené1
Mesopotamia11
Mess Nor Keui1
Messoudia1
Mezré6
Miandoab1
Mikhalidj1
Mirkedjia1
Moks, kaza1
Morinig1
Mosul11
Mosul, Region of1
(Mouandjik)1
Moumbidj2
Mourad Su—Eastern Euphrates2
Moush12
N
(Nahichevan)2
(Nahichevan, Town and District)1
Nazi1
Nazlu District1
Nigdé1
(Nijni-Akhti)1
Niksar2
Norag1
Nordoz2
(Novo-Bayazid)1
(Novo-Bayazid, Town and
District)1
(Novo-Nikolaievka)1
O
Odjakli1
Olti1
Ordou2
Ortakeui2
Osmania9
Oulash1
Ourbadji Oglou Deré (near
Baibourt)1
Ourfa144
Ourough1
Ovadjik1
P
Palu1
Panderma2
(Parakar)1
Passin District31
Pazou2
Pelou2
Pera1
Perkenik1
Perkhous1
Perri1
Pertchendji1
Plel1
(Plour)1
Polatlu1
(Port Said)3
Q
Quodshanis5
R
Radjou2
Rahva1
Rakka5
Ras-ul-Ain3
Rodosto1
Roumlou2
S
Sabandja2
Sahajian District1
Sairt3
Salekan1
Salmas44
Salmas District3
Salt Desert of Anatolia1
(Samaghar)1
Samsoun103
Sarai2
Sassoun3
Scutari1
Selefka2
Severeg1
Shabin Kara-Hissar6
Shadakh1
Shadakh Region—Shatakh Kaza3
Shahbagh1
Shakh1
Shaklak1
Shar Kishla—Sari-Kishila34
(Sharori)1
Sheer—Shar3
Sheitan Dere <ssi>2
Shekhlan1
Shivilgi1
(Shousha District)1
Shushantz2
Silivri1
Sis51
Sivas174
Sivas District—Sivas vilayet10
Slivan1
Smyrna1
Sordar1
Sortra1
Soudjboulak1
Soulouk1
Sourp Garabed Monastery1
Soushehri2
Sughurt—Sairt (?)2
(Suhoi Fontan)1
Sultania6
Süngürlü—Soungourlou2
(Surmalin)1
Surudj1
Suverek1
Syria4
T
Tabriz3
Tal3
Talas51
Talas, Villages in the
District of1
Tamar1
(Tarsa-Tchai)1
Tarsus38
Tasholouk1
Tchai1
(Tchaikent)1
Tchalgara1
Tchamli-Bel2
Tchamulan1
Tcharbash1
(Tchardahli)1
Tchargousha1
Tchar-Sandjak1
Tchar-Shamba2
Tchemesh-Getzak2
(Tchibouhli)1
Tchiftlik, near Tokat2
Tchingiler2
Tchomakli1
Tchorlu1
Tchoroum—Chorun4
Tchoukour1
Tchumbar1
Tchunkoush1
Tchutlug—Khoutlig11
Tedjir1
Teheran1
Tel-Armen1
Telouk-Khaina1
Ten1
Tergawar1
Tiari5
(Tiflis)1
(Tiflis, Town and District)1
Tigris River2
Tireboli1
Tkhouma—Tkhoma5
Tokat6
Totz1
Toutlikeui1
Trebizond10
Trebizond, vilayet3
Turchal2
Tzeronk1
U
Urmia—Urmi121
Urmia District3
Ushnuk1
V
(Vaharshapat, Town and District)1
Van141
Van, vilayet32
Van-Dosp District—Timar1
Varak Monastery2
(Veri Ailaulou)1
Vezir Köprü3
Viran Shehr2
Vostan2
Y
Yalova1
Yarpouz2
Yeghek1
Yenidjé1
Yeni Han (near Tokat)1
Yeni-Shehr1
Yerebakan1
Yermag1
Yoghanolouk2
Yozgad2
Yulduz Han (near Sivas)1
Z
Zara1
Zeitoun419
Ziaret1
Zila12
Zindjirderé1