19 May 1919 — ∞

Today is May 19th, 98 years ago today, after the World War 1, it was burned the fire of independence in Anatolia. Because Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and his 23 military fellows landed Samsun’s (the city of Black Sea coast)harbor in a small ferry.

Mustafa Kemal had resigned from Ottoman Army, already after than Istanbul Ottoman government issued an arrest warrant for Mustafa Kemal.

What was the situation at those days:

“When Mustafa Kemal landed in Samsun city of Anatolia on 19th May 1919, the situation of Anatolia was quite bad. People who came out wars which have been continued for long time, were tired, exhausted, and depressed. The Ottoman state was taken prisoner and Istanbul was occupied by emperialist forces. Sultan Vahideddin had no choice and was miserable.

The people who were tired from wars that have continued for long time could not taken one more war into consideration. But, when districts of Anatolia were started to occupy by westerners, and each district began to defend its property, life and honor.

Thus national forces called “Kuva-yi Milliye” was formed by Mustafa Kemal could establish an orderly army by organizing the Kuva-yi Milliye unities. Thereby, Anatolia people started straggling for their own motherland and national values one more time.”

Think about it, the world war has finished yet. Ottoman army has lost about 1,5 million soldiers, next to this figure about 200,000 troops have been captured in from Egypt to Tripoli on many fronts. There was no gun, even no food in Anatolia. While Mustafa Kemal and Kuva-i Milliye army started to Independence war with Anatolia people, they had only 3 war planes, even one of them was broken German war plane.

Under this circumstances, whole Anatolia people resisted against invader imperialist forces. According to Sevres Treaty, Anatolia has been occupied as the following map:

So, Anatolia people who had suffered great losses were struggling with the atrocities of the invader countries.

And they started a new war, their Independence War against imperialism with the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Independence War of Turkey was not easy. There are many photographs that you can see on internet about war loses of the countries, like after WW2. But there are not so many pictures about how Anatolia has been after Independence war. People can forget or don’t remember if there is no photograph. Without photograph as if the war seems not to happen. I have found these about how Anatolia was after the Independence War of Turkey. These tell how much horrible that war. Because while the occupied countries was retreating, they burned the cities and left behind them. These are the photograps which were taken in some Anatolia cities during and after Independence War of Turkey.(1919-1922)

I hope these photographs have given some clues how much struggled Anatolia people fought in their Independence War.

A country in this shape was left into the hands of the people of Anatolia by imperialists. But Anatolia people built the new republic over it with the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Today, 19th May, is celebrated as “Commemoration Ataturk and Youth and Sports Day” every year. Ataturk had said for this day, “19 May is my birthday.” Intrestingly, Ataturk’s real birth date is not known. And with the republic, 19 May had been recorded as his birthday to his identity card.

He always believed in youth. Almost every words of him address to the youth. Like his words of Nutuk, he trusted youth for county.

You can hear the words like that: “Ataturk is not popular for the Turkey people anymore.”

Don’t give the credits to these words. If there is something, this is the truth of the longing to Ataturk of Turkey people is rising in every year.

People, young or adult, go to Anıtkabir every national day. Huge crowds are gathering to memorialize and express gratitude for Ataturk in every city. They sing songs or marchs for him, the pictures or photographs are collecting and making posters, and many things are done. Like the video that I have shared at first line of this post. The lyric of that song: “I have never known anyone more special than you. I have never seen anyone more beautiful than you.” Like this song and video, if you write on youtube,”Ataturk cocukları” or “Izmir Marsı” (there are more but these two enough I guess) you can see that especially the young people’s longing and love to Ataturk.

This attitude of Turkey people, could seem weird for the rest of the world. They can ask: “Why the people are still keeping Ataturk in their hearts and minds almost 100 years later?”

Nobody forces Turkey Republic people to keep Ataturk in their hearts or mind. This is made without any pressure and made sincerely. Even more and more with everyday, the commitment to Ataturk is rising. (like Newton’s Third Law of Motion)

And the anwser of the question of “Why the people still keep Ataturk in their hearts and minds almost 100 years later?”: “Are you able to forget the person who gave you freedom and your honor back?”

I know this was a question-answer but it is still answer you know.;)

And happy May 19th, to the youth and to the ones who always feel and think like young!

 

 

 

 

 

‘Defence of the Realm’ in Turkey — Pat Walsh

 Written by Dr. PatWalsh

19,06,2016

In 1915 Marmaduke Pickthall was the most informed man in England on the region governed by the Ottoman Empire. Pickthall was an English Tory and a famous novelist, as well as a journalist. Pickthall published nine novels set in Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Yemen and Turkey. E.M. Forster wrote in 1921 that Pickthall was “the only contemporary […]

Pickthall wrote a series of informative articles under the title The Black Crusade, which The New Age later published as a pamphlet. In these pieces, Pickthall condemned Christians for comparing Turks to Satan and for the approval of Bulgaria’s Christian slaughter of Muslims in the Balkan Wars of 1912-13. At the end of 1912, Pickthall went to Turkey to see for himself the events he had been covering in his writings. Out of the visit came the book, With the Turks in Wartime.

What he saw happening – the slaughter of over 1 million Moslems and the ethnic cleansing of 400,000 more by Christians, with nothing being said or done in the West – led Pickthall to understand that a deep hypocrisy existed in most of Europe. There were exaggerated tales of atrocities against Christians while much greater suffering among the Moslem section of humanity was ignored.

When Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914, Pickthall declared his willingness to be a combatant as long as he did not have to fight Turks and he argued strongly for respect for Turkish neutrality and independence.

Pickthall’s background was Church of England. His father and his father’s father were clergymen and his two step-sisters were Anglican nuns. He had an Irish mother, Mary O’Brien, one of the famous Inchiquins. It was through church contacts that Pickthall first went to the east. Gradually, however, the actions of the Christian community, especially its missionaries, undermined Pickthall’s religious devotion. He had a crisis of faith which is evident in his writings for The New Age. Finally, in November 1917, at the last of a series of talks to the Muslim Literary Society on “Islam and Progress,” Pickthall openly declared his acceptance of Islam. He took the name Mohammed and became a pillar of the British Islamic Community.

Below is reproduced an article Pickthall wrote for The New Age on 4 November 1915, around the anniversary of Britain’s declaration of War on the Ottomans. It deals with the Armenian massacres then reported in England. The Title relates to the British Defence of the Realm Act which gave the government extraordinary powers to do what was necessary for the safety of the state in wartime and which England used most thoroughly in Ireland, even after the Armistice of 1918. Pickthall was obviously making the point to his English readers that what the Ottomans were doing in defending their state was just what Britain would do if faced by a similar existential crisis.

During the article Pickthall refers to “concentration camps”. What he has in mind are not the German death camps of the 1940s but the British concentration camps used in South Africa to suppress Boer resistance in the 1900s. Tens of thousands of civilians perished in these, despite the strong control of both land and sea Britain exerted, in comparison to the dire security problems faced by the Ottomans, challenged by multiple invaders, starvation blockade and internal insurrection in relocating the Armenians from the war zones.

When reading the following article the reader should bear in mind that Pickthall has many of the British Imperial views of the time which we would consider offensive today. But it is, for all that, a very informative and balanced piece of journalism. Hopefully more of Pickthall’s writings will be reproduced in further posts.

“Defence of the Realm in Turkey by Marmaduke Pickthall

“In the year 1913 the British Government was requested by the Porte to provide a number of inspectors to super-intend the reforms which the Turks had undertaken in the Kurd-Armenian vilayets; where, as an outcome of the Balkan War, and the consequent weakening of the local garrisons on the one hand, and of Russian intrigues on the other, the situation had become extremely critical. Mr. Walter Guinness, M.P., describing a tour which he made that year in Armenia and Kurdistan, mentions ‘‘numerous indications of an active Russian propaganda” not only among Armenians but among the Kurds as well. “Many of them (the Kurds) are armed with Russian rifles, and in the mountains I found in an out-of-the-way village a Russian dressed as a Kurd, and living the life of the Kurds.”Rifles supplied to the Kurds were sure, sooner or later, to be used against the Armenians. At the same time, Russia was arming the pro-Russian – that is, Orthodox – section of the Armenians in Turkish provinces adjacent to the Russian frontier. The Armenians thus, who are by no means lambs, would be emboldened to revolt against the Turkish Government ; the Kurds would slay them in the name of law and order-a mere name in Kurdistan in these days, respected only when it suits the Kurds – and Russia, posing as protector of the slaughtered Christians, wouId cry to Europe: “See what you have done by thwarting my desire to take those provinces.”

“It was simply the old game which has been played by our Ally so many times before in Turkey, and always with some measure of success. Western Europe is so far removed from Asia Minor. So very few of us can realise, even in imagination, the condition of men’s daily lite in that far region.

“The situation was, indeed, most critical from the standpoint of the lurks, and the Turks desired to mend it by introducing real reforms into the Armenian yets. But they knew well that they were not strong enough to carry out so great a work in the face of Russia Russian-and, one may add, German-political ambitions, without the help of some great Power of Europe which was not interested in preserving the existing anarchy. England was their only hope; and England, for some time, seemed willing to befriend them to the extent of lending them some competent inspectors. But the presence of British inspectors in Armenia would have interfered with Russia’s game, might even have caused the nature of the game to be disclosed to Western Europe. So Russia, very naturally, objected, and England- prizing Russian friendship above honour-for the Turkish demand was based upon the Cyprus Convention – eventually refused to provide the inspectors. Not only the Turks and the Armenians, but we English are the sufferers by the decision; since but for that unfortunate refusal, last of a long series of rebuffs, Turkey might have been on our side now.

“And now we hear about Armenian massacres, and Englishmen are filled with pious horror, laying all the blame upon the Turks. Let us try to understand what has actually happened. Some Armenians, in Armenia proper, Turkish subjects, rose in arms and betrayed the town of Van to the Russians. When the news of this occurrence spread throughout the Empire, the common people in some places rioted against Armenians, just as the people in the East End of London rioted against the Germans upon the news of the sinking of the “Lusitania” but with this difference, that the Arab and the Kurdish mobs, being three hundred years, at least, be- hind the London mob in civilisation, did what the London rabble of three centuries ago would have done, and killed their victims. Following on these disorders he Turkish Government ordered the removal of the whole Armenian population from the war zones to concentration camps of some sort-as much with a view to their protection, it seems but fair to suggest, as with a view to prevent further treachery. When the Turkish forces retook Van, there was a slaughter of Armenians in that district by the Kurds, their ancient enemies, who, as we have seen, were armed with Russian rifles before the war, at a moment when the Turks were wishing to disarm them. In one American report that I have seen, the Kurds, not Turks, are specified as the offenders. But it is all one to the enemies of Islam and they are powerful just now in England – since Kurds are Muslims of a sort. Unruly as the Scottish Highlanders three centuries ago, the Kurds have always raided the Armenians ofi the least excuse whenever the Turkish Government had its hands too full to deal with them. They are enemies to Turkish government in time of peace, and very uncongenial and mistrusted friends in time of war. And it must be remembered that the Armenians, in their native land, are far from being the sheep-like, inoffensive crowd that they are sometimes painted. They also, when at war, commit atrocities. That the recent massacres of Armenians – whatever their extent, and that we cannot ascertain at present – took place at the command, or in any sense with the connivance, of the Turkish Government, seems most improbable. We are not now in Abdul Hamid’s reign.

“The chief desire of the present rulers in Turkey has always been to prove their country worthy to take rank among the civilised, enlightened empires or the world, and their ideas of civilisation and enlightenment are derived from English and French sources, not from German frightfulness. The most that can be fairly laid to the charge of the Turkish Government, I should say, is the military execution of proved traitors and the removal of reputedly disaffected populations from the danger zones-this last a forcible proceeding involving hardship and discomfort to the deported; but, consider- ing the state of war, and the straits in which the Turks were placed, a necessary military precaution, no “atrocity”.

“Therefore, it seems unfair to count the many thus removed among the victims, especially as it is possible that in some cases they were removed to save their lives. We have the evidence of British prisoners of war at Urfah on the Euphrates, as to the kind of treatment the Armenians received from infuriated patriots in small provincial towns, inadequately garrisoned and unpoliced, on the news of the betrayal of Van. And the general order for removal seems to have followed pretty closely upon those disorders. Yet, I came the other day upon the headline : “Armenian Horrors: 8o0,ooo Victims,” to a newspaper paragraph, which stated that the number of the victims could not be much less than eight hundred thousand killed and deported. The statement loses all its force when one reflects that the total number of the deported from a hunderd districts might easily be eight hundred thousand.

“One cannot help contrasting the publicity accorded by our Press to this Armenian tragedy with the silence of the same Press on the subject of the Balkan tragedy in 1912-13. As one of the handful of Englishmen who tried to get a hearing for the Turkish case on that occasion, I can personally testify to the firmness of the censorship which we encountered. Yet, the tale we had to tell was much more horrible than anything which we have yet heard from Armenia; and the perpetrators were our “fellow Christians.” A few men who knew the East thought the facts deserved to be published, in the interests of religious toleration, as showing that bad Christians in those lands could be as bestial as bad Mohammedans in time of war. But our rulers, in their wisdom, thought it inadvisable that such enlightenment should reach the general public, who were told that the atrocities Committed by the Balkan Christians were “no more than is customary in all Eastern warfare.” Quite so. And on behalf of the whole Muslim world to-day, I claim that these atrocities committed by the Kurds and Arabs are no more than is customary in Eastern warfare.” We are talking of Asia Minor, not of England; of a nearly savage country, where men are sheep when under discipline, but devils if enlarged.

“The fact is, that we should have furnished those inspectors.”

via ‘Defence of the Realm’ in Turkey — Pat Walsh

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk: “Then, trying to maintain of Ottoman State and it’s descendants is to make biggest evilness against the Turkish nation.”

The lands of Anatoia view before May 19, 1919

“I’ve landed on Samsun on the May 19th day of 1919. General situation and outlook: The allies of the Ottoman Empire defeated in Great War, each side of the Ottoman army was damaged, with the heavy conditions “Armistice Agreement” was signed. Over many years of Great War, nation has been tired and poor condition. Who dragged the nation into Great War, they fallen into the concerns of their benefit and they have fled from the country. Vahdettin who is sultan and caliph had been corrupt, he has been seeking for himself and nefarious ways that for only throne could be maintained. Istanbul government of Damat Ferid Pasha headed was weak, dishonorable, cowardly, only they complied with the sultan’s request and buckled under any condition that would protect themselves with him.

The weapons and ammunition were taken from the hands of army and still are being taken.

Entente states, they don’t consider it neccessary to abide by the decisions of Armistice Agreement. With the falsification reasons, the navies and troops of Entente States are in Istanbul. French had entered the city of Adana, British had entered the cities of Urfa, Maras, Antep. Italian troops in Konya and Antalya, British soldiers in Merzifon and Samsun. Officers and special agents of foreign states are working on each side. Then, for days before we recieved our initial promise, 15 May, 1919, with the approval of Entente States Greeks Army is landed on Izmir.

Furthermore, the Christian minorities in the entire country are trying to crash of the state to obtain the hidden, open, specific needs and objectives a moment ago.

The nation which wasn’t aware that they remained without leader, is waiting to the things to come into the darkness and uncertainty. Those who begun to understand the disaster and weight of the horror, they make every effort that they accepted as the remedy of liberation within the framework of their strenght which is effected by the events and environment.

The nation and the army as well as they are unaware of the treason of the sultan and the caliphate, they connect internally to the authorities who has got these titles with the ties of religion and tradition which have been ingrained for centruies and they are docile… They are not able to grasp the meaning of liberation without sultan and caliph. Those who will reveal their thoughts and views which are incompatible with the nation beliefs, unfortunatelly they would be irreligious, stateless, unwelcome…

In fact, at those days we were in, the foundations of Ottoman Empire had collapsed and its existence had ended. The Ottoman Empire was disintegrated completely. In the middle, there was only an ancestor homeland where a handful Turks lived. At last, the colonialists were trying to ensure for sharing of these lands. Ottoman Empire and it’s independence, sultan, caliph, Istanbul government; all of these were the meaningless words and out of concept. What kind of help is thought to ask from whom for who’s immunity and what? In that case, what could be solid and real decision? Gentlemen, there was only one decision in front of this situation. This is to establish a new independent Turkish State which is based on national sovereignty as unconditional.

Here, it has been decision which we thought before leaving Istanbul and we started to implement no sooner than we did set foot in Samsun, Anatolia.

The logic and steady thought which were based on this decision: The basic principle is that the Turkish nation needs to live as dignified and honorable nation. This can only be achieved with completely independence. No matter how rich and prosperous, a nation which is devoid of independence, can not save itself from being servant in front of civilized humanity. To ask the protection of foreign state is nothing else to reveal the deprivation of human nature, weakness and incompetence. It can be never considered that those who didn’t fall into this inferiority situation will bring the foreign management willingly. However, Turk’s honor and capabilities is very high. Such a nation, rather than live as prisoners, its destroying is much better. If so, Independence or Death! That will be the watchword for those who want the real salvation. For a moment, let’s assume that has experienced the failure about the implementation of this decision. What would happen? Captivity. Well, will not the same result emerge with abiding by the other decisions?

With this difference; a nation which has risked own life for independence is divert itself with thinking that it has made the every sacrifice which should be for human dignity and honor. And of course, if they are compared with disgrace nation which wears the captivity chain to own neck by own hand, they will be in an another place at the eyes of friends and enemies. Then, trying to maintain of Ottoman State and it’s descendants is to make biggest evilness against the Turkish nation. How a lot of insane people(*) who hadn’t conscience and thought connect anymore with public and country can be seen appropriate for the protection of honor and independence of the public and country?

I want to say my last words particulary to the youth of our country.

The young ones!

You are the ones who increase our courage and continue. You will be the most valuable example of the idea of freedom, human virtue, loving of country and people with the decency and wisdom that you took in.

The rising new generation! The future is yours. We have established Republic. You are the ones who will keep it alive and make it valuable.”

/

(*)Ataturk mentions about Sultans and Istanbul government, while he is saying a lot of insane people

These are Ataturk’s words from Nutuk (about 620 pages). Today the anniversary of May 19, 1919. This day is the day a public awakening. This day is anniversary day in Turkey every year, as Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.

Mustafa Kemal presenting the Nutuk at the Assembly, 1927.

Background (Calligraphy): Hakimiyet Milletindir means “Sovereignty Belongs to the Nation”

The Nutuk (Modern Turkish: Söylev; Speech) was a speech delivered by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk from 15 to 20 October 1927, at the second congress of Republican People’s Party. The speech covered the events between the start of the Turkish War of Independence on May 19, 1919, and the foundation of the Republic of Turkey, in 1923. It is an important source for the study of Kemalism. It took thirty-six hours (on a 6 day span) to be read by Atatürk. Scholars have since identified the Speech as the foundation and model followed by Turkish historians for the official historiography of the Turkish Republic.

this is quoted from wikipedia

I’ve tried best I can as always for the translation. I never find the translations about Turkish historians researches or the translation such as Nutuk or Independence War of Turkey. Turks are very lazy about this subject. Turks do not make enough effort about telling themselves to the world public. Turks are closed society. And they expect to be understood by world public without telling them truths. That’s why, many wrong informations in the middle. And of course, I wished I could make copy and paste, it would be very easy for me 🙂 If there is more better translation of this text of Ataturk you can make comment and thus, I can correct my wrongs.

19 May 1919, The day is the day that was burned the fire of Independence!

With the Sevres treaty, the imperialists had began to split the Ottoman Empire. Mustafa Kemal who was the lieutenant colonel at that time and his officer friends who have disobeyed the order of Ottoman Sultan, who subservient to the imperialists, have resigned, and May 16, 1919 at midnight they departed to Anatolia from the Istanbul over Black Sea to with Bandirma ferry.

24 people inside this small ferry, have set foot on city of Samsun by passing between British ships the morning of May 19.

1927, 15-20 October, Ataturk have read “NUTUK” which was written by Ataturk’s speech in parliament for 5 days. Ataturk’s speeches “NUTUK” is the one single book in world history about its area and its about 900 pages. All the days of the liberation war were individual notes and were recorded documents on the war days by Ataturk. And it starts with saying:

“19th day of May 1919, I came to Samsun. The general situation and view: The situation of the Ottoman Empire defeated in World War I, the Ottoman army had received wound on each side, it have signed a heavy conditions ceasefire agreement, people are tired and in a poor state, during the years of Great War … ”

And Nutuk finishes with “Ataturk’s address to the Turkish youth”:

“Turkish Youth! Your first duty is to preserve and to defend Turkish Independence and the Turkish Republic forever…

In the future, too, there may be malevolent people at home and abroad, who will wish to deprive you of this treasure. If some day you are compelled to defend your independence and your Republic, you must not hesitate to weigh the possibilities and circumstances of the situation before doing your duty…

The enemies conspiring against your independence and your Republic may have behind them a victory unprecedented in the annals of the world. It may be that, by violence and trickery, all the fortresses of our beloved fatherland may be captured, all its shipyards occupied, all its armies dispersed and every corner of the country invaded. And sadder and graver than all these circumstances, those who hold power within the country may be in error, misguided and may even be traitors. Furthermore, they may identify personal interests with the political designs of the invaders. The country may be impoverished, ruined and exhausted. Youth of Turkey’s future, even in such circumstances, your duty is to save Turkish Independence and the Republic!”

This spirit has been protecting its viability for 96 years. This spirit is that spirit which the imperialists which are inside or outside of Turkey fear and could not demolish last 96 years. Perhaps, its words may seem militaristic. However, if you consider that secular Turkey Republic which was established under very difficult conditions as a Muslim country in the geography inside it, and if you evaluate the events according the historical period, you can empathize.

The day of 19 May is celebrated in every year in Turkey as “Commemoration Ataturk and Youth and Sports Day”

Well, why he addressed to the youth?
Because, he trusted the youth. He had always seen the light in the youth.

Happy 19 May, to all youths who resist against the imperialists on the planet Earth!

έλα my brother

Turcophobia, so Anti-Turkism has been favorite again in nowadays. At 24 April 2015, Armenians across the world have created a chain of hatred with others who supported them.

Armenians group which gathered in Yerevan, US, Athens and the others, burned Turkish flags. According to news that some Greeks who support them carried these banners in Athens :

“I remember and I defense”

“I do not forget Armenia, Cyprus and Pontus”

“Common fight against the common enemy”

The other countries do not concern me too much in these events happened. Which interested me happened in Greece.

This article had been written entirely to them, to my brothers and sisters, my “komşu”-(neighbor)

“Let’s together remember and defense” my brother who shares common fate with me.

Do you know what should we remember?

We should remember Izmir. 13-17 September 1922, the days of big fire which was made by Armenians; which doesn’t want to see by the whole world. 13-17 September 1922 in four days, Greeks, Turkish, Jewish neighborhoods were burned. 2/3 of the city was destroyed.

The quotes of report of the Director of the Paul Greskoviç from Izmir Fire Insurance Company (at that period)

“11/12 September an hour after midnight they gave news us that the fire occurred in the Armenian neighborhood. I moved on fire area with the fire brigade. While we were passing up the Greek Hospital,120-150 women and children were sitting and women were shouting bitterly.

“Why are you yelling?” I asked ;

They said “Armenians burned us; we were lived in Seyis Han,'”

These were Greeks. These people said to us: “We were living with side by side Armenian homes. They cut a hole in the adjacent wall and the Armenians fired the houses with pouring a lot of gas through the hole.”

Greskoviç tells in his report Izmir fire the continuation of the report as follows:

“We were trying to extinguish the fire, Armenians were shooting and thrown projectiles were hitting the fire extinguisher pump.”

Dated September 30, 1922 ‘French Illustration’ in the copy of the newspaper, the news of the reporter named Ercole G. dated September 14, 1922 is provided in the following.

“Two o’clock in the afternoon a cloud of smoke was rising towards the Armenian neighborhood. However, this trend does not extend fire and extinguished as it seems. Gunshots heard, grenades exploding. Armenians who decided to die rather than live under Turkish management, they set fire to city with beginning own houses and began to fight with Turkish soldiers. The people threw themselves into the sea for surviving from fire.”

They tried to accuse on Turks for this fire. If these were not enough, come us remember the report of American Near East Organization Representative Mark O. Prentiss who came to Izmir with American warship Bristol.

“It seems that everyone wants to believe the Izmir fire responsibility belongs to Turks, in America. Turks cannot be accused with such an accusation which has senior importance. Izmir, was one of the biggest prize seized the eastern war. For Turks, this city was using for the emergency needs of the house for Turks army. What they have reason to burn?”

Published in French in Izmir ‘Le Levant’ newspaper dated September 21, 1922 Izmir news about the fire:

“All Armenian homes were closed before the fire and there was no sign of any life. With fire, Armenians went out their homes as armed. Even an Armenian, who lived in Ayavukla neighborhood, was seen that he went out by setting fire his home. Fire fueled rag fragments have been found in many Armenians homes. Armenians who are living with us side by side also began to shoot the sooner firefighters who want to extinguish the fire.”

And these are only lived at the west Anatolia you can imagine what Armenian made at east. They had taken the risk to burn own homes. They had taken the risk to burn their neighbors lived together for thousands of years.

They say that Turks deny without knowing anything in a blinded mind. This is not true. On the contrary, Turks do not accept because they know better the events. And Turk side says that:” lets we give this subject to historians in the light of science they would make them research.” But they are refusing as a choir all together. Even Armenian government council said, when this Turk offer was presented in Armenian parliament:

“This is not a matter to be left to the historians.” (!)

Turkey, 2 days ago, opened completely Archives of the Turkish General Staff about it. Previously, part of the documents had been opened from TGS archives in book form in 2005, likewise opened the Ottoman archives. Every scientist who wants to do research can benefit here with permission. However, (this “however” is very important) Armenia doesn’t open own archives. Turkey made every call in front of the world public to Armenia government. Similarly in France does not open their archives and on this subject in the UK too.

If you want to read you can see the numbers of deaths from below link from TGS archives in book form in 2005. And if you want to examine, it will give the number of deaths of Turks and Kurdish and how they were killed in the brutal massacre which made by Armenians. And a figure of around 460,000 is written in these documents about the Armenians number during the deportation.

Nowadays, it is trying to prepare the clothes for those days with the mentality of today. Those days were the days of WWI days. A nation was struggling to survive at least 6 fronts against the big state powers. On the other hand, one of ethnics inside it, Armenians, were killing and slaughtering the other ethnics. Such as this situation, if the decision of deportation wasn’t taken, what would be to the others?

There’s an imperialist lie that full centuries constantly repeated. If a lie is repeated a million times with the support of major financial powers, it is very easy to numb the masses.

Let’s remember;

How we became enemies against us over Cyprus by the British and American imperialism?

Let’s remember history;

Ataturk and Venizelos, who are personally experienced the First World War two important people, they gave the end of the imperialist’s game after the imperialist war. They have never been the enemies to each other. We do not live in the war. We do not know the smell of death. They knew. Millions of Turks were sent from out Balkans, Crimea, Russia, most died on the roads. Greeks experienced the same thing.

If you pay attention, in these sentences there is no words like these: “British, French or Americans had lived and suffered”.

Your and my people have lived, experienced them. They always used us as a cat’s paw. The fascist in both Greece and Turkey supported to them. The imperialists do not love the most me and you. For them, we are lazy or barbarian. When they are smiling to our faces, they would tease our cultures behind us. And they know that we will destroy their game, you and me if we’re together.

As of now there is a thought such as “Europe always loved the Byzantine.” This is another lie. Europe did not like the Byzantine. They adored the Western Roman Empire, not eastern. Even when Turks come in, do you know what they said for the Turks in Catholic palaces?

“Turks who are Troy’s children, they now, will take our revenge from Helen for us.”

Interesting, isn’t it? How was a hatred for Helens, they have argued that the Turks were descended from Troy. It sounds like a joke to us currently. But this is a fact.

But, let’s listen to a wise traveler and who is known as “father of Archaeology”, Cyriacus of Ancona had said for us in the year of 1444;

“The responsibility of ending the division of the world belongs to two publics; they are Turks and the Greeks.”

They want that we forget all these. They want to accomplish their goals through us, as always.

We remember them!

Let’s show both them and the fascists in all of two sides that we don’t forget. Because my brother, there is not any other two brotherly publics that can enjoy with same drinks and can feel same in same song with similar memories both sides of the Aegean on this planet.

έλα my brother, let’s we remember and defense all these!

for the quotes and sources:

http://www.tc-america.org/issues-information/armenian-issue-31.htm http://www.isteataturk.com/haber/5271/izmir-yangini-izmir-8217i-kimler-yakti

“THOSE HEROES THAT SHED THEIR BLOOD AND LOST THEIR LIVES… YOU ARE NOW LIVING IN THE SOIL OF A FRIENDLY COUNTRY. THEREFORE REST IN PEACE. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE JOHNNIES AND THE MEHMETS TO US WHERE THEY LIE SIDE BY SIDE HERE IN THIS COUNTRY OF OURS… YOU, THE MOTHERS, WHO SENT THEIR SONS FROM FAR AWAY COUNTRIES WIPE AWAY YOUR TEARS; YOUR SONS ARE NOW LIVING IN OUR BOSOM AND ARE IN PEACE. AFTER HAVING LOST THEIR LIVES ON THIS LAND THEY HAVE BECOME OUR SONS AS WELL.” Mustafa Kemal Ataturk/ 1934

Today for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli land battles, a memorial day is organizing in Turkey.

I do not know how important this is for the world. There are many people who are pursuit of imperialist lies rather than to learn the facts. Of course, the propaganda is very important. If it is continued to tell a lie millions of times by continuous financial supports, it will be a lot of people will believe. And there are hypocrites among those who believe that had himself/herself put in the anti-imperialist class.

I want to say that Dardanelles war will not care much by hypocrite world in today. Because today, in many parts of the planet, many of people will repeat the great imperialist lie with great enthusiasm of medieval mentality with show of the Pope and the mediatic characters and with taking huge financial support of the UK, France and the US.

“Writing history is as important as making history. If the writer does not remain true to the maker, then the unchangeable reality transforms into a confusing matter for humanity.” / Mustafa Kemal Ataturk 1931

Today, there will be a historic wrong and often misguided agenda which is far away from scientific mind on the planet. In fact, the background there will be the laughter of the medieval mentality. Because, in this so called civilized mankind era, medieval mentality knows that history can still write by politicians and religious functionaries. However, this will not be heard during the show. A century ago in Anatolia, so-called great western states because of they defeated on battle field, they did a good preparation for the centuries for revenge. I have to give the devil his due actually. If the tragicomic thing is those who are living in with shame and stable about perpetuate this lie.

The greatness of the Dardanelles wars will stay in the memories of those who have lived and want to keep it alive with truths on history. I remember with respect those, who died at the battle both Turks and Anzacs at that days. Let’s finish this post with the text which is placed at Kilitbahir on the right side of the Dardanelles.

This writing is actually a poem. Its first two lines are placed at the slope. Here is in English:

“Stop wayfarer! This land that you stepped unknowingly is a place where a era went down.

Bend down and lend your ear, for this silent mound,

This is the place where the heart of a nation sighs.”

And all ships that passing through the Dardanelles, passes in front of this quiet but powerful scream of the thousands of people who died in these lands…

Addition: Besides, there is a huge lie and smear campaign in the world today, they are making propaganda about even Ataturk words over this post title didn’t belong to him. Those clowns who claim that lie, should apply to me; my response to them will be very nice.;)

The Turk Liberation Struggle in the light of the British documents: Beginning part

“The Turk Liberation Struggle in the light of the British documents” written by German Professor Gotthard Jäschke, and it has been published 1971 by Turkish Historical Institution. Original name is “Der Turk Befreiungskampf im lichte der Britischen dokumente”. What I’ve used to convey to Turkish translation of this book belongs to Cemal Koprulu who was an important Turkish politician writer.

All those which have been chosen through from inside of the tens of thousands of documents were meticulously transferred to the book, is showing us the dominant lies of British imperialism. The book has got has only Turkish translation except outside of the original German. On the Internet or at any library I could not find the translation in English or another language. This was not surprising to me. Usually, impartial examination of British imperialism is not possible with the British publications for some reasons. There are German and Russian sources always, but there is not in English completely.

Another feature of the book is that to tell the truths about what lived of Turks who lived to the darkest days of World War I, more than the other nations with the informations in this book. And the book reveals clearly that the British’s guidance was the main power of occupying forces of the Ottoman Empire at that time.

And British have followed which policies into great disgraces to make an enemy of the publics each other over Anatolia soil, are transferred. (especially the Greeks, Armenians, Kurds and Turks, to be enemies with each other by Bristish imperialism)

I will try to convey some of the documents from the Turkish translation of this book as much as I can. Of course it would be better to translate the original German, but it’s not something I can do. And the experiences in this part of the history, how created its base over what happened today, we will see together. In addition, the ambitions of British imperialism in a wide range which is from India to Middle East are also mentioned in the subjects of this book; not only on Turkey.

Unfortunately, this will not be a single post; I will convey in parts. And thank you in advance for your patience, my Earthling friends.

First, to resolve doubts about how much reliable these historical documents are, I want to give information about the author of the book. Because, in the current world, information pollution is in the final stage. The author of the book, as you will soon read, he was one of very few people who was very knowledgeable about this region and had very experience about region. There is no doubt about the accuracy of all the information in this book.

Professor Gotthard Jäschke

(B. April 8, 1894, Oberpeila, Schlesien – D. December 29, 1983, Essen, West Germany), German historian Professor and Orientalist, Turkologist. He is well-known with his works on especially recently era of Turkish political history. (from the First World War to until the 1970s, and especially Ataturk era of Turkish history).

His diplomatic missions in Turkey and the Caucasus:
He has completed his secondary education in Schiller Gymnasium in Berlin Lichterfelde. 1914 He graduated from the Turkish Department of Oriental Languages Seminar University of Berlin 1914. He has joined the First World War; He was injured severely in the Somme-Py on the Western Front October 1915. When he was healed, entered the government service by giving the exam of the Supreme Court of Prussia (Kammergericht) in Berlin in 1916 ‘s. He has been law doctor In 1917, at the University of Greifswald. He has served as in secretarial 1917/1918 in the German Islamic Science in Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft in Islamic fluorine) and as scientific advisor in the East Intelligence Service in Berlin (Nachrichtenstell flor de Oriente) May-August 1917.

He began his service as being foreign ministry official at Germany consulate in Istanbul Turkey in 13 April 1918. He has been deputy consul in 1923; immediately after, he became the head of foreign passport office. In later years, he was vice-consul in Izmir Turkey between 1924 -26. Then from 1927, he was appointed Tbilisi-Baku-Azerbaijan with the same task.

He has served as the head clerk Embassy in Ankara Turkey to 1927 from 1931. In 1931, he began teaching the Turkish Language at Berlin Orient Institute. To 1936 from 1945 (Institute was closed after 1945 because of Russian occupation), he continued to this task with the professor title.

Between the years 1947-1959 he taught about Turcology, Islam, Turkish history, Turkish law and Turkish reforms issues in University Münster / Westfalen as visiting professor. In addition, he has helped those who wish to a PhD and research on these subjects.

Between 1917 and 1983, Professor Jäschke has published nearly 400 books and articles with a circumference of at least 4000 printed pages that deal with only a few exceptions, about the Turkish history.

From the Preface:

The review of the history of our War of Independence by making use of the official reports and British authorities documents, which have not been published until today and belonged to the era of Armistice-Truce, fills a huge gap in this subject. It also provides on another point of clarification of the period of the National Liberation War. It has passed a time over half a century over the most important events in our recent history. The day April 23, in this year(1971), it is the day of fiftieth anniversary of the start of the arduous most serious movement…

…The publication of this important work of Professor Jaeschke, due to shed light us on many aspects, it is a happy coincidence. Thus, we can draw a clearer picture of those days were the period of a life and death for our nation;…we understand loud and clear that all these hostile world which wants to realize to their imperialist ambitions on the ruins of the Ottoman Empire, how they got down to the job within behavior about corruption and deception…

…Indeed, in this case, the history facts, which has presented to the world by a valuable expert Professor Jaeschke as a result of long study and research after the opening of British archives to researchers in recent years, is an important contribution to quality history of our National Independence.

…Some facts can be understood from documents published in this work:

On March 3, David Lloyd George (1916-1922 United Kingdom prime minister) says that:
“The Turks can be taken to control only using a power they can not resist”*

One day later, De Robeck with Defrance who have a voice and decision in this regard, say these words and received a joint decision:

“If Allies push the peace on Turks, they obliged to weaken Turks resistance at Istanbul where is the only possible place which the allies are strengthen the state, and could come and superior to the Turks.”

…We can see many important events with unknown documents about the history of our National Liberation; we can learn some insight into the events. Preparation of the Treaty of Sevres, the related documents about Malta prisoners, hidden documents of the London Conference emerges in this work…

Quotes from “The Turk Liberation Struggle in the light of the British documents” V.1 / P.7-9

It will continue…

For a hint about British imperialism facts on the documents:
*“…Using the power Turks can not resist”(!!!), only this shows the British imperialism plan how will be bloody and deathly over particularly Turks and the other Anatolian ethnics. But there is more and more…

Bibliography resources for informations about Professor Gotthard Jäschke’s life in this article:
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotthard_J%C3%A4schke
http://www.atam.gov.tr/dergi/sayi-04/kayiplar-gothard-jaeschke

The liberty of United States: blabber about 100 years

American WW1 propaganda poster (1918)

via http://historyinposters.tumblr.com/

Besides, there are incredible posters from entire world on this tumblr page. I highly recommend for those who want to look at the history of Earth from the eyes of posters.

Jack Lane’s Address at Kilmichael

Pat Walsh

Jack Lane’s Address at the 94th Kilmichael Commemoration, Co. Cork, scene of the devastating ambush of Crown forces in Ireland, refers to the fact that the Irish War of Independence is being fought all over again today. He emphasises that the Boys of Kilmichael “should be honoured without qualification or reservation”. Jack Lane also says that “honouring the Boys of Kilmichael is our way of asserting our own self- respect today because if we ever disown them we would be disowning ourselves and what we are. We would become self-haters”.

View original post 3,355 more words

Dogs in Great Patriotic War

Dzhul’bars

During the war, the dogs which are the most loyal friends of the people, have made the task of the ambulance, became the courier, made mine or bomb disposal team leadership, has identified the location of the spies, in exchange for people’s friendship.

When the history of the planet has settled accounts with the ruins of WWI, in 1924, the council of Soviet’s revolutionary military of the tactical shooting high-school started to take the dogs for the purpose to be trained as being experimental and education in the military field for Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army, with Stalin’s orders. Within a few months, those education places were opened at Smolensk, Tashkent, Tbilisi and Ulyanovsk.

Initially, the issue about who will train to these dogs was experienced difficulty. Including the circus employees, they called many people on the military training facility. Over time, this situation was improved and the soldiers began to provide training. At the same time, the dog clubs were opened for army. When WWII broke out, 14,000 dogs started to serve in the army. At the end of the war, this number will be 60,000.

Second half of 1941, when Moscow war has started; the courageous and devoted dog troops were used to stop the Nazis tank units including Moscow defense and the containment of the Nazis. Stalin’s expectations about battle tactics and advantages were very high. When the time has come, he knew that a troop, which will consist from the dogs will be support at an important moment of war. The dogs were not only giving the reports about coming of Nazis when they went forward on the boundary line. The dogs were remunerating of their training, which was given about blowing up the tank troops, in the same time. In defense of Leningrad, the becoming target of the dogs’ shelter was not surprising rather than soldiers’ shelter with this reason. These sentences were seen frequency in urgent correspondence notes:
“The fascists are targeting to our dog; dogs’ positions are under fire.”

One of the most famous of these dogs was Rex. One day, a mission that is required to cross the Dnieper and had to be informed of their at next to Red Army troops with interruption of the communication channels established by the Nazis was given to Rex. Rex has entered to the cold river in three times at February, 1944. He almost lost into the water, going adrift. But it has continued his duties fearlessly. While its struggle, the heavy artillery fire was bombarding on both sides of the river. And ultimately, Rex had taken in the very important documents and spent infantry battalion against the shore.

Another hero dog was Dzhul’bars. It became a legend with the tasks in the Red Army. Dzhul’bars, did mine clearance in many European countries including Hungary, Austria, and the city Prague, for two years. It has identified of the location of 7468 mines in total and 150 artillery shells. And, it was called as guest of honor to the parade in Red Square by Stalin himself. Red Star medal was given to Dzhul’bars by Marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky with the order of Stalin.

source: http://d-pankratov.ru/archives/458