Reports on atrocities in the districts of Yalova and Guemlek and in the Ismid Peninsula

by Inter-Allied Commission of Enquiry into Atrocities in Yalova and Guemlek

Report of the Inter-Allied Commission instructed to conduct Enquiries regarding the Excesses committed against the Turkish Population in the Regions of Yalova and Guemlek.

The members of the Commission of Enquiry left Constantinople on the 12th May and arrived at Guemlek in the evening. They immediately communicated with General Leonardopoulos, commanding the 10th Greek Division and quartered at Guemlek.

This general officer furnished them with all material means required by the mission.

2. The region to be visited by the commission includes the larger portion of the kazas of Yalova and of Guemlek—a hilly peninsula containing about forty villages, thirty-five of which are exclusively Turkish. In the adjoining region of Bazarkeui, on the western and northern shores of the lake of Nicea, there are ten Armenian villages, some of which (with the exception of the village of Chengeller, which was burned by the Kemalists in April last) were destroyed by the Turks during the war and after the armistice.

At Guemlek there are at present 2,000 refugees from these Armenian villages, as well as 1,500 Moslem refugees from adjoining villages which have been destroyed, as also some 3,500 Greek refugees from the Greek localities of Elmalik, Fulajik, Ortakeui and Nicea, which were burned or destroyed by Kemalists during 1920.

Guemlek, the principal town in the district, had some 6,000 Greek and 1,000 Moslem inhabitants before these events took place.

3. During the last nine months the region has been occupied by weak detachments of the Greek army, about eight companies in all. The front line, Yalova-Bazarkeui, is held by five companies and one machine-gun company. Guemlek is occupied by about two companies. A small detachment of twenty-six men is at Armudli.

The headquarters of the 10th Greek Division is at Guemlek. The troops belonging to this division provide cover for the Greek army further towards the east in the direction of Yeni Shehr.

4. Turkish civilian administration is non-existent throughout this region. It has not been replaced by any other organisation.

5. The commission carried out its task in the region east of Guemlek and on the northern shore of the Gulf of Mudania from the 13th to the 20th May. On the 20th May it proceeded to the region of Yalova and returned to Constantinople on the 22nd May, having completed its mission.