May 17.—At 8·30 A.M. two Greek officers, who were in command of the detachment, sent to Guemlek on the 11th to search and disarm villagers between Guemlek and Armudli, were sent on board by one of the Greek staff officers.
The commission interrogated them. The date when they passed through the burned villages corresponded exactly with the time when those villages were found to be in flames. One officer acknowledged that he had had four Turks shot, but apart from this denied any knowledge of murder or looting.
At 9·30 we left Kutchuk Kumlar for Fistikli. We towed two caiques, to be left at Kapakli, to convey the refugees who were able to leave the mountains in view of the promise made by the commission.
About 200 refugees were found to have assembled on the beach. The “Bryony” left the caiques, with the necessary escort, and proceeded to Fistikli. That village appeared to be perfectly quiet. Turkish and Greek merchants were selling their olives on the landing-place.
An officer was sent ashore to make enquiries. The Turks, terrified at what was passing in other villages, were selling their goods before leaving for Armudli. (The price offered by the Greeks was certainly below the usual standard.)
Armudli was reached at mid-day. The village appeared quiet. An officer was sent ashore to ask the officer commanding the Greek detachment to come on board and report if it was necessary for the commission to visit the village.
It was decided that the commission should interrogate the chief Greek and Turkish inhabitants at the landing-place at 2 o’clock.
The Greek officer stated that all was quiet and that he had orders to guard the village only.
He spoke of several cases of brigandage in the adjoining farms.
The representatives of the Greek and Turkish committees appeared to be living in absolute agreement, but, on being questioned separately, nevertheless complained of each other.