1915-10-18-DE-011-M

Source: DE/PA-AA/Embassy Constantinople/Vol. 171.
Publication: DuA Doc. 185 (rev. abbr..)
Translator: Linda Struck

From the Administrator in Aleppo (Hoffmann) to the Embassy in Constantinople

No. 123

Aleppo, 18 October 1915

Current situation regarding deportation of the Armenians:
Yesterday orders given to clear town of deportees (20000) within 14 days, presumably under consideration of the military situation. Meanwhile collecting at concentration camp outside the town. South of Taurus, the railway is no longer being used for deportation. For families with any means of transport, deportation on foot, each family to be given one camel for luggage which, due to circumstances, often has to be left behind. According to statements made by the director of political affairs in the Vilayets, 40000 are concentrated at Katma and Radju, further suspects [deportees] from West, Middle and North Anatolia are approaching; 300000 are being sent on to the South for "re-settlement" (Rakka, Derzor, Western Hauran). According to the aforesaid official, these are to be left to themselves at their destination and "will all die"; in times of peace the government would have "perhaps" provided settlements, although the resettlements of Muslims has also failed often enough, but now there is neither money nor officials to deal with the matter. In any case, everything and anything is missing for resettlement; neither tents nor sufficient flour nor fuel are being supplied to the concentration camps; the officials have even taken hoes and spades away from deported farmers. General conviction that all deportees will meet their death. Moreover, agreement of Germany to this mass murder is being assumed not only by all Christians, but also by the Muslim population of the country, partly with approval, but also with disapproval. These occasionally refer to Germany’s example (Belgium!). Report to follow.

[Hoffmann]

[Note by Mordtmann, 20 October]

NB. It appears - comp. 5990 - that this does not refer to the deportation of the population of Aleppo, but to the further transportation of the convoys of Armenians collected there from other parts of the country.
Even Talaat Bey pointed out to me a few days ago, as he has already done before, that we had murdered 40000 Belgians in Belgium. I have also heard this from another source. It seems to be a "fable convenue" [convenient tale], which has apparently been deliberately spread among the Turks by the enemy.