A series of documents are published on the website of the Armenian Genocide museum-institute, which are witnesses of the Genocide. We present the witnesses of the German officials about the Genocide.
From the report by the German Consul to Erzurum Scheubner-Richter to the ambassador Wangenheim
28 July 1915
Supporters of Vali Tahsim Bey frankly confess that the final aim of their activities is the complete elimination of the Armenian in Turkey. Here is the literal expression of one of the famous figures-“There will be no Armenians left in Turkey after the war.”Since this objective cannot be achieved through different types of massacre, they hope that the deprivations of the long road leading to the Mesopotamia and the unusual climate will finish the job. That “solution” of the Armenian problem seems perfect to all the supporters of the radical direction,which include almost all military and government officials.
Deutschland und Armenien, 1914-1918, Sammlung Diplomatischer Aktenstucke, Herausgeleben und Eirgeleitet von Dr. Johannes Lepsius, Potsdam 1919, S. 113.
German Embassy protest towards the Government of the Ottoman Empire for the massacres against the Armenians
4 August 1915
In its protest towards Turkey the German government expressed its discontent for ‘’ the massive and spontaneous expulsion (of Armenian people), especially considering that the expulsion was accompanied by such actions of violence, such as killing and looting”.
Politisches Archiv des Auswartigen Amtes, Abteilung IA, Turkei 183/37, A2127, August 4.1915.
The expulsion of Armenians from Erzurum. From the secret report of the Erzurum Scheubner-Richter
5 August 1915
In early June the first group of the Armenian elite was expult from Erzurum during 14 days. On June 13 over 500 people left Erzurum, passing to Urfa across the mountains of Kharbert. According to the government around 14 people were killed, according to my sources of information almost all men were killed. The second group, nearly 3000 people left Erzurum on 19 and 20 July. Probably the men were killed. The rest reached to Erzincan. The 4th group also reached to Erzincan through Bayburd. Until July 15, all the Armenians were exiled from Erzurum. The doctors, pharmacists, several officials were also displaced during my absence. According to some sources, by the verdict of the military court they were shotnear the Bayburd. In early August the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups have been sent to Urfa from Erznka. They should have to pass through the infamous canyon of Kaamakh. I do not know how many people will reach the mentioned place.
…What refers to the Armenians exiled from the neighboring provinces, the number of the dead is much higher there. Thus, for example, when I was in Erzurum, I absolutely did not see any man among the Armenians of Trebizond passing through there.
… I think that anyway there is a lack of any kind of evidence of that prepared universal and measured Armenian revolt.Thus, for example, neither weapons, nor compromising documents were found in the Erzurum province. January would have been the best time for the planned rebellion, if there were any, when Russians were standing 35km away from Erzurum and the Erzurum police garrison consisted of a several hundred of people. In the same time only the labor battalions of Erzurum consisted of 3-4 thousand Armenians.
R 14088, zu Ab, 28584
Report of the Aleppo Ryosler about the massacre of the Armenians and other Christians In the eastern part.
3 September 1915
11. The indoctrination about the transfer of the exiled people presented to the railway board says that currently one train passes a day, more accurately 2 train from north-east a weak (Akche Guyunli railway station for the population of Marash and Aintab), 2 from north-west (Katum railway station for the population of the Alexandretta, Beylan and those of the coastal zone). These four trains pass through Aleppo. Although long stops occur in the railway stations, the passengers are strictly forbidden to leave the trains.
Every week 3 trains filled with exiled people leave Aleppo. They either come from east or have accumulated there due to the disorganized work of the transport. Usually one train consists of 30-35 cars and transfers around 1500-1600 displaced people. Majority of the transferred by the freight cars and by passenger trains, if there is any of course. So, one car consists of 50-55 people. It is an indescribable catastrophe.
Konst./Ankara, 170, Ab. 53a.
The telegram of the substitute of the German ambassador to Turkey Hohenlohe-Langenburg to the German ministry of foreign affairs
25th of September 1915
In spite of government’s denials everything witness for their destinations – to vanish (destroy) Armenian nation.
Politisches Archiv des Auswdrtigen Amtes, Abteilung I A, Turkei 183/39, A28578. September 25, 1915
Notes about the violations against the Armenian people by young Turkish Government provided by the Imperial Consulate of Adana. To the Imperial Consul in Adana; Byugen Bethmann Holvegin
October 10, 1915
… As people claim here, the Armenians must be massacred in different parts of the country, especially near the Turkish-Arabic lingual border zones. The responsibility lays upon Turkish authorities in every single case.
R 14088, Ab. 30012.
From Consul of Aleppo Ryosler to Reich Chancellor Batman Holveg,
November 8, 1915
The government undertook such severe preventive measures against Armenians that can be rarely found in history. Those caused rebellions in three areas- Fundujak, Suidie, and Urfa.
I have formerly informed about the situation in Fundujak. The fightings in Sudie (in nearly 4 villages of Antioch) were over when the resistants got into the ship from a secret harbor amidst the fire from the enemy’s military navy. According to the Armenian side the amount of women and children is 6000. Despite that fact and the connection with the enemy’s cruiser, there is no evidence of former preparations for a rebellion in this region. The inevitable attempt of displacement is more probable to cause a resistance.
