1916-10-04-DE-002-M

Source: DE/PA-AA/R14093.
Publication: DuA doc. 302(re.)
Translator: Vera Draack

From the Chargé d’Affaires in Constantinople (Radowitz) to the Reichskanzler (Bethmann Hollweg)

II. 7596

Therapia, 4 October 1916

1 Enclosure.
Copy
The enclosed copy of the statistical record sent here by the Imperial Consul in Aleppo and drawn up by Beatrice Rohner, a sister from the German Relief Association for Christian Labours of Love in the Middle East, on the 720 Armenian orphans left in her care deserves consideration in several respects: it gives the first fairly safe clue in order to at least roughly calculate the percentage of those Armenians who died during the evacuation. Sister Rohner’s 720 wards are the last of 3336 persons; if one now estimates the total number of Turkish Armenians at 2.5 [2] million and the number of deported at 2 [1 1\2] million, and if the same relationship is assumed between the survivors and those killed as for Sister Rohner’s orphans, a figure of over 1.5 million [1175000] killed and approximately 425000 [325000] survivors is reached. Previously, estimations of those killed have been between 800000 and 1 million and, considering the above, they do not seem to be exaggerated.
Another point which must be emphasised concerns the alarmingly large number of mothers who died a violent death (379) while only 321 fathers are listed as having died of unnatural causes. This statistic on hand finally confirms the fact, also reported from other sources, that against the express orders of the central government the families of those men were deported who had been conscripted into military service. The statistics list no less than 246 such cases.

Radowitz

Enclosure 1

Imperial German Consulate.
K.No. 89/No. 2605.

Aleppo, 15 September 1916.

1 Enclosure.
Your Excellency, I have the honour of sending for your gracious attention the enclosed statistic for the month of August, drawn up by Sister Beatrice Rohner, on the 720 orphans put in her care as a result of the deportation of the Armenians.

[Roessler]

Enclosure 2

Statistical report on 720 children who were in our orphanage in August 1916.

Home address Number

Vilayet Siwas 142

Vilayet Erserum 50

Vilayet Aleppo 189

Vilayet Adana 162

Vilayet Angora 21

Vilayet Kharput 34

Vilayet Konia 11

Vilayet Brussa 22

Vilayet Diarbekr 50

Vilayet Constantinople 3

Mesereh 9

Adianian 3

Smyrna 1

Ismid 2

From Egypt 1
Home address unknown 40

720

Fathers of the children

killed 152

died from the deprivations and

hardships along the way 85

killed in massacre of

Adana 32

conscripted by military 107

exiled 52

in jail 11

still alive 80

in the United States 10

died before being deported 129

missing 62

720

Mothers of the children

died in exile 282

still in exile 91

converted to Islam 4

alive 97

died before being deported 53

Children who could give no

information on their mothers 193

720

Children’s denomination

Gregorian 554

Protestant 106

Catholic 2

Sabbatists 1 Denomination not determined 39

720

Average age of the children: 9 17/36 years

Children who were formerly in orphanages: 40

Number of fathers who died of unnatural causes 321

Number of fathers who died of natural causes 129

Number of fathers whose life is in danger 170

Number of fathers who were separated from their children due to military service 107

Number of fathers who were deported and, thus, lost to their children 394

Number of mothers who died of unnatural causes 379

Number of mothers who died of natural causes 53

Number of mothers whose life is in danger 91

Number of mothers who were deported and, thus, lost to their children 474

Mothers who were deported while their husbands served in the army 246

Members of children’s families who died during deportation 2616

Members of children’s families who died during deportation

(on average) 3 3/5

Children aged 1 to 6 who couldn’t give any information 126

Orphans 258

Only two left from the entire family 144