Yozgat

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  Yozgat 01

  Krikor Guerguerian

  Yozgat former branch executive and Area commander Major Salim Efendi's statement.

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  Yozgat 02

  Krikor Guerguerian

  As a result of certain informants' complaints about abuses by Kemal Bey that occurred during the deportation of Armenians, Civil Inspector Nedim Bey was assigned to the task. Based upon his evaluation, it became clear that Kemal Bey tolerated looting of abandoned properties, took some of the properties himself and paid off personal debts by handing over abandoned properties. As a result, he should be prosecuted and in order to proceed with this, the Administrative Assembly in Ankara needs to give permission.

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  Yozgat 03

  Krikor Guerguerian

  Civil Inspector Nedim Bey's investigation in the month of May in 1916 on Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] County Executive Kemal Bey only covered the misuse of abandoned properties. It was not an investigation into murder or destruction. This is clear from the message sent by Nedim Bey to Emin Bey, one of the Inspectors, and for this reason copies of paperwork sent on this subject are being sent.

  The dates that the former County Executive of Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan], who is being prosecuted for murder, destruction and looting, served in that capacity along with when he was the deputy District governor of Yozgat, his salary etc.

  Sending the one page biographical sheet on former Kemal Bey, the County Executive of Bogazlian [Boğazliyan].

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  Yozgat 04

  Krikor Guerguerian

  There's been information that former gendarmerie commander Tevfik Bey killed six or seven hundred Armenians from the Armenian village called Kumkuyu by burning them and that he took children from their cradles and dismembered them. The necessary investigation should be conducted and reported back.

  The telegrams sent from Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] by İbrahim Hakki, Ahmet, Ali Rifki, Hasan Husain [Husain [Hüseyin]] and Osman Nuri on the 8th and 10th of December 1918 should be obtained, their instructions should be followed and the results reported back.

  Questioning whether or not an investigation is underway for the named individuals who took part in the robbery by Feyyaz Bey, of valuable goods from the caravans out of the villages of Chiftlik [Çiftlik], Elekchiler [Elekçiler] and around Keller.

  Kemal Bey was prosecuted for abuse of property however, nothing had been done on the massacre accusation nor on other issues.

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  Yozgat 05

  Krikor Guerguerian

  After Atif bey arrived as a representative in place of Governor Mazhar Bey, District Governor Cemal Bey was terminated and in his place the Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] County Executive Kemal Bey was placed as a deputy. During the Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] Deportations that had started prior to Yozgat, Kemal Bey had had Armenians murdered. Based on the news that he subjected all Armenians to deportation, regardless of whether they were children, women or the elderly and in short order had them all removed, they were annihilated around Yozgat. He engaged in much looting of their goods and properties. Two caravans of Armenians that had been dispatched by Kemal Bey were massacred despite being assigned for transport to Sivas.

  Statement of Colonel Halil Recai Bey.

  Statement of Cemal Bey, the former district governor of Yozgat.

  The statement of former County Executive of Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] and the deputy District Governor of Yozgat Kemal Bey.

  The statement of Gazaros' daughter Eugenie.

  Statement by Arshavilis, son of Mardiros Tashchian.

  The second statement of Arshavilis, son of Mardiros Tashchian .

  The statement of Agob Efendi, son of Kirkor of the Kasparian family.

  Statement about removing all Armenians within the provincial district who are actual 'committee' members or who seem potentially to be so, to Zor, especially teachers, doctors, pharmacists, priests, storeowners and lawyers whose presence presents a risk of harm to the peace and order of the country. During the deportation, care should be taken to their properties and their honor.

  In the telegram sent by District Governor Cemal Bey to Deputy Governor Atıf Bey, upon writing that "This Deportation is being managed by Division commander Shahabettin [Şahabettin] Bey who is assigned to Kayseri. He does not allow civil servants to have any say." Governor Atıf Bey responded back that law and order and peace in the country, especially in areas that are not in the war zone, are the responsibility of the civil service.

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  Yozgat 06

  Krikor Guerguerian

  [This is a long document, so consult excel documentation for full summary]

  Telegram stating that it will not be right for Feyyaz Bey's uncle to be there.

  Stating that their client, Hristaki Efendi, the former agent of Yozgat had been unjustly prosecuted by the Military Tribunal four years earlier and been materially harmed by it, he demands that compensation be made within fifteen days. If this does not occur, he warns that Islamic Judge Mehmet Hamdi, will have Abdurrahman and Ahmet Efendi at the bank delivered to the 'claws' of justice.

  The commercial dealings have been taken care of, the train would not take the load; they will report on their whereabouts; they traveled to Eskishehir [Eskişehir] to handle Shah İsmail and Abbas Efendi's sheep related matter.

  In order to prevent the Armenian rank and file who are part of the labor battalions from disturbing law and order as a result of the deportation of the Armenian population to the interior of the country, the Chairmanship of the War Staff Office sends a notification that precautions must be taken, to the Deputy of the Chief Commander's office.

  Since it has been decided that the Armenian population will be deported to the interior, no opportunity should be allowed for the Armenian rank and file within the labor battalions to disturb the peace.

  During this time the issue of law and order and especially discipline over the Armenian rank and file must be given greater attention.

  On whether it might be necessary to deport even the Armenian rank and file who are part of the labor battalions and platoons.

  It is not necessary that the Armenian rank and file who are part of the labor battalions and platoons be deported. They must be managed under strict discipline.

  During this time, there's no need to describe how important it is to maintain order over the Armenian rank and file. The necessary notices were sent on the subject to the Inspector of Rail Lines office as well as the Construction Commission. The Armenian rank and file with the service unit and the industrial platoon should not be given leave to go to the city or their homes. If soldiers must be sent to the city, the Muslims ones should be selected.

  During this time discipline over the rank and file must be given great attention. If soldiers are to be sent to the city, they should be chosen from the Muslims.

  (Continued...) [This is a long document, so consult excel documentation for full summary]

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  Yozgat 07

  Krikor Guerguerian

  The type, amount and dates acquired of all of the abandoned real properties under the control of Feyyaz Bey, the Foundations Official, must be reported.

  Statements about the Armenians who were killed in the villages of Elekchiler [Elekçiler], Keller and Tashpinar [Taşpınar] and the Keller creek, and whose valuables were stolen and who, it is clear, had known Armenian shopkeepers from Town among them; on where the delegate Efendi was killed and how the ring that had been on his finger was found with Feyyaz Bey and by what means it ended up there.

  Whether or not Feyyaz Bey is a member of the Yozgat Union and Progress Society, his number and the dates when he was part of the central council along with what his role was in the deportation.

  As a result of abuses committed in connection with abandoned properties, Kemal Bey along with some of his friends were prosecuted in 1916 and 1917. The conclusion to this, along with information and documentation is requested. Questions on whether other processes have been pursued in connection with Accountant Vehbi and the Foundations Official Feyyaz Efendi who it is apparent, were part of the commission for abandoned properties.

  While atrocities and massacres were being committed in the villages of Terzili and Chat [Çat] by the Gendarmerie commander Tevfik Bey, it was reported that despite the Muslim population pleading to spare the women and children, as they grew distressed by the cries and screams that emanated during the massacre, Tevfik Bey ignored them. The statements of Muslims should be collected and reported back.

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  Yozgat 08

  Krikor Guerguerian

  Those who were responsible for the explosion of arms in Efkere; the owner of the garden where empty rifle shell casings were found had no knowledge about the incident. Summons and removal of the usual suspects occurred.

  The explosion of a bombs in Efkere was reported by the district governor's office and the military were requested and dispatched. The explosion was verified and undetonated bombs were found. Thirty Armenians suspects have been sent to Kayseri.

  Information on the operation by the army unit that was deployed upon the news that Armenian gangs had attacked the villages of Akdagmadeni [Akdağmadeni] and Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] has not been forthcoming. The information requested must be reported immediately.

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  Yozgat 09

  Krikor Guerguerian

  [This is a long document, so consult excel documentation for full summary]

  News had reached the district governor's office of Kayseri that Armenian fugitives had attacked some of the villages connected to Erkilet and Muncusun and that an army unit had been deployed.

  Upon hearing that acts of insurgency were taking place in the villages of Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] and Akdagmadeni [Akdağmadeni] since yesterday, it was decided that a battalion from Yozgat be deployed. The "Martin" rifles may stay with the battalion for now.

  The "Martin" rifles that were sent with the Yozgat battalion may stay with the battalion for now and the rebellion must be suppressed.

  The "Martin" rifles that were sent with the Yozgat battalion may stay with the battalion for now. This information should be shared with those who need To know. It will be necessary to get reinforcements from the Corum [Çorum] Battalion.

  The "Martin" rifles that were requested be sent To Ankara may remain until peace is restored.

  Up To three hundred armed Armenians from the villages around Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] attacked the Muslim villages located near Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] which is part of the county of Maden. Upon hearing from the local County Executive and the branch president's office that another group of Armenians had attacked the Muslims villages of Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan], in order to suppress this movement before it damages the loyalty of the community, the entire Yozgat Gendarmerie Battalionun was deployed.

  In order to suppress the insurrection in the vicinity of Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] and Akdagmadeni [Akdağmadeni] before it damages the loyality of the community, the entire Yozgat Gendarmerie Battalion has been dispatched.

  Maintaining the country's law and order and peace especially in areas that are not war zones, comes under the authority of the civil service. If there's a law that takes away that authority then it should be made known. Otherwise, the civil service in question needs to be supported.

  It is clear that the communications about the incidents in Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] and the surrounding area have been exaggerated; before something has been thoroughly investigated, conclusions and communications should not be rendered. Civil servants have no authority to be involved in issues like public order and security which is entirely the military's responsibility. Suspicious Armenians from the provincial districts of Yozgat and Corum [Çorum] should be deported through Kayseri and their properties and lives need to be protected.

  About the lack of communication between the county executives, despite whatever shape the [army] divisions are in and if necessary, the need to bring the subject to a higher authority.

  (Continued...) [This is a long document, so consult excel documentation for full summary]

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  Yozgat 10

  Krikor Guerguerian

  Since the village of Kumkuyu is part of Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan], if an investigation has been conducted in that county, the public prosecutor of Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] was informed to have it reported directly to the military tribunal.

  Divanlizade Mehdi Efendi was summoned to Court on the atrocities that were committed in Yozgat, even though he had nothing to do with the atrocities. In fact, he had wept for the Armenians and tried to protect them.

  In 1915, 65 individuals were released from the prison, sent to Corum [Çorum] and armed; on who the members of Union and Progress were during that period, how many times and when Ankara Union and Progress Party Secretary Necati Efendi traveled to and from Yozgat and the communication exchange with the Sivas office along with information about the termination of District Governor Cemal Bey.

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  Yozgat 11

  Krikor Guerguerian

  The sending of Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] County Executive Kemal Bey's short biography along with the petition that was the cause for his promotion.

  The connection that Foundations Official Feyyaz Bey, one of the perpetrators of the Yozgat affair, had with the Union and Progress Society, his role in the deportation and the need to ask someone reliable about what he actions had been.

  Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] County Executive Kemal Bey was prosecuted for abuses, during the years 1916 or 1917. Whether or not he had been sentenced for this, and if so, whether or not he actually served out his sentence. Also, whether he was prosecuted for other crimes and the questions about the investigation of Foundations Official Feyyaz Bey and that case.

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  Yozgat 12

  Krikor Guerguerian

  The reason why Foundations Official Feyyaz Bey, one of the perpetrators of the Yozgat affair, was terminated from his position in 1908.

  Sending copies of the coded telegrams that were exchanged between the Kayseri division commander Colonel Shahap [Shahap [Şahap]] Bey and the Fifth Army Corps Commander's Office of Ankara.

  Sending copies of the coded telegrams that were exchanged between the Kayseri division Commander's Office and the County Executive's office of Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] during the deportation and destruction of Armenians.

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  Yozgat 13

  Krikor Guerguerian

  The statement of Radi Bey about the deportation from Ankara and the surrounding area.

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  Yozgat 14

  Krikor Guerguerian

  A portion of the questions that were asked of the former County Executive of Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] Kemal Bey, while in court. The responses are missing.

  A portion of the questions that were asked of the Foundations Official of Yozgat, Feyyaz Bey. The responses are missing.

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  Yozgat 15

  Krikor Guerguerian

  14 individuals from the group of dangerous Armenians who were taken in during the night from the town and village, were deported.

  Since the Armenians in question were deemed dangerous, they were murdered on the direction of Gendarmerie Sergeant Husain [Hüseyin] Avni.

  Information on where the aforementioned individuals were deported.

  Despite the fact that the ledger on the Armenians which had been sent from the County Executive's office of the County was requested, it still has not arrived. However, the County Executive had verbally stated that over 1500 Armenians had been killed.

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  Yozgat 16

  Krikor Guerguerian

  Informational note on the Yozgat Deportation.

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  Yozgat 17

  Krikor Guerguerian

  A small informational note on the Yozgat Deportation case.

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  Yozgat 18

  Krikor Guerguerian

  Information note on topics like whether the individuals who committed the genocide in Yozgat are in gangs, free men or arrested.

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  Yozgat 19

  Krikor Guerguerian

  In the coded telegram dated 27 July 1915 [14 Temmuz 1915) from the Fifteenth Division Commander's Office to the Ankara Army Corps Commander's Office, it reports that Yozgat Accountant Vehbi and the Foundations Official Feyyaz Efendi had together incited the Muslim population and looted the Armenian villages and provides the conclusion of the investigation.

  On the conclusion of an investigation over which month in 1915, the Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] Ranking Commander Salim Bey had been removed from his position and based on whose complaint, order or notice.

  Reporting on which offices conducted an investigation as a result of the Kumkuyu incident, who was ordered to the military tribunal and what was meted out in the way of punishment.

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  Yozgat 20

  Krikor Guerguerian

  Questions on which date the first order was broadcast for the deportation of Armenians, who are considered committee members or dangerous, from within the province of Ankara and it's outlying areas, to the Provincial Office and the Fifth Army Corps Commander's Office and at what point it was communicated to the outlying areas.

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  Yozgat 21

  Krikor Guerguerian

  Informational note on the individuals who commited crimes during the deportation.

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  Yozgat 22

  Krikor Guerguerian

  After reading the signed deciphered coded message dated 4 August 1915 [22 Temmuz 1915] from Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] Branch Office Chief Mustafa, he writes to Tevfik Bey that while the looting was taking place he had been in Akdagmadeni [Akdağmadeni] and that he had written letters stating that he needed to warn his superiors. He is asked what he can add to the topic.

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  Yozgat 23

  Krikor Guerguerian

  There is no evidence whatsoever of a rebellion occuring in the county of Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan]. Practically all of the Armenian villages that are part of the county have been cleared out by the County Executive and the Township Directors. The children of Armenian families cannot even venture out in front of their homes much less go about in the villages where they live. As a result of these upsetting circumstances, the Armenian villages have been very badly looted by the Gendarmerie, the Circassian officers and the Muslim population. The army unit Commander's Office reported that the state coffers will be very negatively affected by this situation.

  It has become clear from the telegram sent by the Branch Presidential Office that 3,660 Armenians were killed in the town and villages of Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] up until now at the direction of the Bogazlian [Boğazlıyan] County Executive.

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  Yozgat 24

  Krikor Guerguerian

  In the coded telegram dated 4 November 1915 [22 Teşrin-i evvel 1915] that was sent to the Kayseri District Governor's office, Tevfik, a retired County executive and Chief of the Military Tribunal of Kayseri and one of the tribunal members, Major Shahap [Şahap] Bey had pardoned some wealthy Armenians during the investigation of the Armenian revolutionary movement.

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  Yozgat 25

  Krikor Guerguerian

  Yakup Efendi, from Pasha village, had tried to save fifty Armenian households of the Karabiyik village by converting them to Islam. The Deputy District Governor Kemal Bey had meanwhile been intent on killing them. He said " You turned them into Muslims with the Shariat, but I'll slaughter them with politics." [translator's note: the words 'shariat' and 'politics' ("siyaset") have an alliterative quality in Turkish].

  On whether the Yozgat Lower Court Chief Justice had participated in the looting or not.