Turks in Shushi

History

MESSAGE FROM THE ARMENIAN INFORMATION BUREAU IN BAKU TO THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF ARMENIA REGARDING THE OUTRAGES COMMITTED BY TURKISH SOLDIERS AGAINST THE ARMENIAN INTELLIGENTSIA OF SHUSHI, AND THE ARRESTS AND EXECUTIONS OF ARMENIANS February 28, 1919

Turks in Shushi

On September 25, 1918, a detachment of Turkish troops, led by Jemal Jevat Bey and accompanied by the Azerbaijani government’s representative Ismail Khan Ziatkhanov, entered the city of Shushi in order to assert Azerbaijani control over Karabakh.

The Armenian population of the city, which until then had been governed jointly with the counties of Jevanshir, Karyagin, and Shushi by an independent Armenian national administration, foresaw that the Turkish presence in the city would be short-lived due to the Allies’ victories on the Western Front and Bulgaria’s capitulation. To prevent the massacre of thousands of women and children and avert bloodshed between Armenians and Tatars, they chose not to offer armed resistance.

In the early days, Azerbaijani representatives publicly promised not to persecute Armenians for their past activities.

But a slave cannot be a knight.

On the night of October 1st, bands of Turkish soldiers, along with the self-proclaimed district chief from the “valiant republic”, broke into the homes of Armenian intellectuals. Terrifying women and children, and without presenting warrants, they conducted searches—confiscating papers, documents, and valuables—without witnesses, inventories, or receipts. The arrested individuals were transferred to Shushi prison under harsh conditions: solitary confinement, denial of books, walks, visits, and correspondence.

The Armenians languished there for a month, without any formal charges. Around 60 people were detained; only 4 or 5 were interrogated. During the interrogation, Yeghishe Ishkhanyan, head of the Armenian national government, was beaten and abused. Others faced humiliation and verbal assaults, aimed at extracting incriminating testimonies.

It seems the “democratic” Azerbaijani government aimed to destroy Shushi’s Armenian intelligentsia and decapitate the leadership of Karabakh’s Armenian community. A regime reminiscent of the darkest days of Tsarist rule was imposed. The day after the arrests, eight gallows were erected in the city’s squares. The populace was mercilessly robbed—forced to fund the gallows’ construction. Terror gripped the Armenian community.

Five days after the arrests, near the village of Msman, an Armenian military unit defeated a Turkish detachment that had attempted to occupy it—capturing cannons and machine guns.

Unable to retaliate against the village, the Azerbaijani authorities resolved to execute some of the prisoners as revenge. However, fate intervened: news arrived of the Central Powers’ collapse and the capture of Constantinople. Nevertheless, three innocent Armenians were hanged—one of them, Sayat, had been acquitted even by their own “court.”

LETTER FROM THE DEPUTY COMMANDER OF THE BRITISH ARMED FORCES IN TRANSCAUCASIA TO BAGATUROV, DELEGATE OF THE KARABAKH NATIONAL COUNCIL, STATING THAT THE ARMENIAN GOVERNMENT IS THE ONLY AUTHORITY AUTHORIZED TO NEGOTIATE THE FUTURE STATUS OF KARABAKH, AND THAT NON-COMPLIANCE BY KARABAKH ARMENIANS WITH MEASURES TAKEN BY GENERAL THOMSON MAY JEOPARDIZE THEIR CHANCES AT THE PEACE CONFERENCE March 8, 1919

Major General Forester Walker, having reviewed the various issues you raised yesterday, authorized me to respond as follows:

  1. Based on the credentials you presented, it appears that you are not authorized by the government of the Armenian Republic in Erivan, which is the sole authority recognized to conduct negotiations with the British headquarters in Tiflis regarding the future of the territory currently held by Armenians.
  2. All matters concerning the Karabakh region fall under the jurisdiction of Major General Thomson, and General Walker does not intend to interfere in any way with the methods General Thomson applies in administering the aforementioned region.
  3. Major Monk-Mason, currently stationed in Shushi, will act in defense of the interests of the Armenian population of Karabakh.
  4. Should the Armenian population of Karabakh refuse to comply with the orders issued by General Thomson in his efforts to maintain law and order, they will not only face severe punishment but also seriously endanger whatever chances they might have to satisfy their aspirations at the Peace Conference.
  5. As for the three questions you submitted to me, they must be referred directly to General Thomson, and every directive issued by him must be obeyed without exception by the Armenian population of Karabakh.

On behalf of the Major General, Commander of the British Armed Forces in Transcaucasia, Lieutenant Colonel Campbell

LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF THE BRITISH MILITARY MISSION IN SHUSHI TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KARABAKH ARMENIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL IN SUPPORT OF SULTANOV’S APPOINTMENT AS TEMPORARY GOVERNOR-GENERAL PENDING THE DECISION OF THE PEACE CONFERENCE March 12, 1919

I have received your letter No. 286. I have repeatedly explained to your Council that the Commander-in-Chief in Baku deems it necessary to support Dr. Sultanov as Temporary Governor-General of these districts until the issue is resolved by the Peace Conference.

The Governor-General’s orders must be followed. The Council does not have the authority to reject any officials appointed by the Governor-General.

I am here to ensure that no one is subjected to persecution. I am always willing to hear the Council’s protests and I monitor the integrity of actions taken by both sides. Going forward, I ask you to acknowledge the officials appointed by the Governor-General. If you find any particular appointment unacceptable, I will gladly listen to the reasons behind your protest.

In your letter, you state that until a formal settlement is reached, the Council does not recognize the Governor-General’s authority to appoint officials. Yet, you have had the opportunity to establish such legitimacy by selecting four members to serve on the Council attached to the Governor-General—an offer you declined, despite the Commander-in-Chief in Baku having clearly conveyed his intentions and expectations.

You write that you have never acted—and will never act—against the wishes of the mission. However, this week marks the second instance in which you have done exactly that.

I ask for your cooperation, not opposition, and I am confident that you fully understand my intentions, which I shall not elaborate on further.

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KARABAKH ARMENIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL TO THE ARMENIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL IN TBILISI REGARDING THE SITUATION IN KARABAKH AND THE ANTI-ARMENIAN POSITION OF THE BRITISH MILITARY COMMAND IN THE CAUCASUS Shushi, March 13, 1919

Since the establishment of the Allied Caucasian Front’s headquarters in Tbilisi, the Karabakh National Council has endeavored to establish close relations with the Armenian National Council in Tbilisi and, through its mediation, inform the Allied High Command of our needs and current political situation. Unfortunately, we have had no opportunity to do so—therefore, taking advantage of the present occasion, we send you this letter and ask, upon reading its contents, that you prepare a memorandum addressed to General Walker, signed by us, describing the political plight of Karabakh. It should also clarify the conduct of General Thomson and the British mission in Shushi, who, rather than protecting our interests, seem to have arrived solely to trample our remaining independence and forcibly submit us to Azerbaijan.

The memorandum we intend to deliver to General Walker should include the following:

The Armenians of Karabakh—numbering around 300,000—live in a compact population in the mountainous districts of Karyagin, Shushi, and Jevanshir, devoted entirely to agriculture. After the Russian forces withdrew from the Caucasus Front and Turkish troops advanced, the local Muslim population jubilantly joined them and began attacking Armenian villages. The Armenian population, which regarded itself as an ally of England, France, Italy, and America, understood that this stance could lead to its extermination—just as the Armenians of Nukha and Zakatala had been annihilated by local Muslims. Thus, in September–October 1918, it took up arms against the Turkish and local Muslim forces, clashing at Aghdara (Mardakert), Msman in Varanda, and other locations—defeating them decisively and capturing artillery, machine guns, and supplies. Though Turks and local Tatars managed to displace several villages with distant shelling, they paid a heavy price.

Subsequently, when Armenian forces attacked the enemy from all fronts, General Thomson—at the insistence of Azerbaijani ministers in Baku—sent a delegation demanding that hostilities cease. Those refusing to comply were to be regarded as enemies of Britain. We ceased our operations, but for two months thereafter, Tatars led by Turkish officers hiding in the region plundered, burned, and killed in Armenian villages without opposition, despite our repeated reports and appeals.

By early February, the British mission in Shushi was completely reorganized. New personnel arrived, and we learned through the press that, with General Thomson’s consent, Azerbaijan had appointed Dr. Sultanov as Governor-General of Karabakh. This move baffled us. We could not comprehend how Armenians—who had defended Karabakh’s freedom with blood before the arrival of the British—should now, by Allied decree, submit to Azerbaijan, which had only recently joined Turks in devastating our villages.

Following this, demands emerged from the British mission urging us to accept the situation and recognize the Azerbaijani Governor-General. At the Fourth Congress of the Karabakh Armenians on February 10/23*, 1919, we unanimously declared in telegrams to General Thomson, Khan Khoyski, and the local British mission that we do not and cannot recognize Azerbaijan’s authority over Karabakh.

Despite faithfully adhering to General Thomson’s orders and never resorting to arms, Azerbaijan brought troops and artillery into Khankendi—one of the principal Armenian settlements in Karabakh. We could have repelled them easily but trusted the Allies would honor their word and prohibit military movements within our territory. That trust was betrayed.

With British approval, the Azerbaijani Governor-General entered Shushi. The local mission then, allegedly under Thomson’s directives, asked us to recognize Sultanov’s authority and nominate an Armenian deputy and three council members to serve under him. Knowing full well the mood throughout Karabakh, we firmly rejected this proposal.

The mission in Shushi informed us that we had no right to challenge General Thomson’s orders and that any resistance would be regarded as opposition to Britain. We responded: the presence of Azerbaijan in Karabakh is unacceptable—beyond reason and our rights. All our letters to Thomson conveyed this stance.

In early March, General Thomson invited six Armenian representatives from Karabakh for personal talks. We welcomed this and selected six individuals, including a member of the National Council. The following day, the local mission requested that the Chairman and his deputies also be among the delegates. This prompted suspicion that they were trying to deport the entire National Council under the pretext of negotiation, though none had acted as revolutionaries. Our concern was grounded: only 14 days earlier, they had expelled two council members to Baku as “undesirable persons”—individuals who had arrived in Shushi just five days prior.

We have since proposed new candidates to the British mission to meet General Thomson in Baku, excluding members of the council’s presidium. Whoever is sent will unanimously uphold the position that Azerbaijan’s presence in Karabakh cannot be recognized.

If our proposal is again rejected, the Karabakh National Council will be forced to resign, as under such conditions it cannot continue to serve the people.

We are the voice of all Armenians in Karabakh, yet the local mission either cannot or does not wish to understand our position.

With this letter, we urge General Walker to consider the fact that General Thomson’s actions oppose the just demands of the Karabakh Armenians. Before the arrival of the British mission in Shushi, we were free. How can a free people now be subjected to the authority of a hostile state like Azerbaijan, whose existence is not even acknowledged by many Muslims, and which cannot ensure law, order, or personal safety—let alone govern the freedom-loving and culturally advanced Armenians of Karabakh?

Chairman: A. Shakhnazaryan

📜 Letter No. 287 of the Karabakh Armenian National Council to the Head of the British Military Mission in Shushi Regarding the Karabakh Armenians’ Regard for Great Britain as Protector of Their Interests

Shushi, March 13, 1919

In response to your communication No. 231 concerning the proposal by General Thomson to send six Armenian representatives to Baku to meet with him, the National Council has the honor, in fulfillment of your request, to leave behind certain members of the Committee and, in particular, the city head to assist you with refugee affairs, and proposes the following individuals for the delegation to Baku.

The National Council believes it is not necessary to include a representative of the Council and his two colleagues in the delegation for the meeting and negotiations with General Thomson.

The Council adheres strictly to the course of action mandated by the Congress of Karabakh Armenian representatives. Accordingly, regardless of who comprises the delegation, they are fully informed of both the firm will of Karabakh Armenians regarding the status quo and the details of your prior discussions with the Council on the same matter—especially since one member of the National Council is part of the delegation.

Regarding your communication No. 234, in which you express the expectation of support rather than opposition, the National Council assures you that it never entertained any intention of opposing you. We have regarded and continue to regard you as a noble patron of the Armenian people and a powerful defender of their interests. If you interpret the Council’s activities as oppositional, then, to dispel this impression once and for all, all members of the National Council hereby resign their powers and relieve themselves of all responsibility effective today.

Should you deem the existence of a responsible body in Karabakh necessary, we kindly ask that you propose a new congress of Karabakh Armenians to elect a new National Council.

Chairman of the Council Secretary of the Council

📜 Report of the Head of the Information Bureau at the Armenian Diplomatic Mission in Georgia to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia on the Situation in Karabakh

March 14, 1919

The situation in Karabakh is currently alarming. During Turkish rule, four Armenian military detachments were formed under the command of Sokrat-bek Melik-Shakhnazaryan, Artem Lalayev, and others. These units defended the population as best they could and resisted the Turkish advance.

Meanwhile, the temporary Karabakh government in Shushi was dissolved by the Turkish command. Armenian villages in the Askeran area suffered the most, while others were spared thanks to local resistance.

This persisted until the arrival of the British mission, led by Major Monk-Mason. The Karabakh question entered a new phase: General Andranik, who had advanced from Zangezur at the call of the people, was forced by the British mission to halt operations and return to Gerusy. His order also suspended the activities of the Karabakh detachments, whose members, reassured by the British presence, dispersed.

Thus, armed protection of Karabakh’s Armenians—excluding Zangezur—ceased. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan began concentrating troops around Karabakh and, about six weeks ago, occupied strategic points such as Askeran, Khankendi, Zabukh, Shushi, and Karyagino. This was aided by discord among Armenian military leaders.

It also became known that, with British approval via General Thomson, Azerbaijan had appointed Khosrov-bek Sultanov—an ardent anti-Armenian known for his role in Armenian massacres—as governor-general of four Karabakh districts. Turkish detachments, including one led by the infamous officer Kasim-bey, joined Azerbaijani forces.

These developments stirred deep anxiety among Armenians, who are willing to make any sacrifice to escape Azerbaijani rule and reunite with Armenia. In response, two weeks ago, the Fourth Regional Congress was convened in Shushi to address Azerbaijan’s claims and Sultanov’s appointment. The Congress unanimously rejected Azerbaijan’s authority and protested the governor-general’s designation. A six-member Karabakh National Council was elected, and divisions among commanders were resolved.

Representatives from the Baku Armenian National Council—L. Zarafyan and G. Balayan—arrived with British approval to support legal order and social cohesion.

During this time, the British mission in Shushi intervened, proposing that the National Council accept a mandatory resolution defining Karabakh’s relationship with Azerbaijan. The Council rejected the proposal. Lieutenant Maslennikov, a former Russian officer now serving the British, then attempted to divide the Council and commanders by addressing the latter separately with the same proposal and requiring signed acceptance. The commanders affirmed full alignment with the Council’s stance and refused to sign. Maslennikov persisted but failed again.

Thus, the British command’s attempt to install an Azerbaijani governor-general failed. Blaming the Baku delegates, the mission demanded their immediate departure from Shushi, which they complied with—against the people’s will.

The mission now ignores the Karabakh National Council, likely influenced by Maslennikov, who once served in the Wild Division and appears to be acting in Azerbaijan’s favor.

Given these events, the Council delegated Bishop Vahan of the Karabakh Diocese and Council member G. Bagaturov to Baku to present General Thomson with a memorandum outlining the situation and demands of the Armenian population. These demands are:

  • Complete elimination of Azerbaijani authority
  • Then, either:
    1. Immediate or temporary unification with Armenia until the Peace Conference decision
    2. Restoration of the Karabakh government as it stood before Turkish entry
    3. Appointment of a British governor-general over the Armenian zone, with local Armenian governance and guarantees for Muslims
    4. Appointment of a British governor-general over all of Karabakh with self-rule

General Thomson, clearly briefed by the Shushi mission, responded evasively, stating his intention to enforce the resolution defining Karabakh’s relation to Azerbaijan.

The Armenian population utterly rejects Azerbaijani rule. Should it be imposed, an uprising is inevitable. Yet, the lack of organized military force, scarce supplies, and absence of funding make resistance precarious. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan is strengthening its army—moving troops and artillery into Aghdam and preparing for an offensive. The situation worsens daily and requires urgent diplomatic efforts to avert conflict.

Head of the Information Bureau Armenian Diplomatic Mission in Georgia 266

Yuri Barsegov “Nagorno-Karabakh in International Law and Global Politics”

Artatsolum

Read Also:

You might also like:

Letter from the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR, G. Chicherin, to V. Lenin

Letter from the People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR, G. Chicherin, to V. Lenin

From the Report of People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR, G. Chicherin, at the Meeting of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee

From the Report of People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the RSFSR, G. Chicherin, at the Meeting of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee

Report of the Karabakh Community Delegation of Tiflis

Report of the Karabakh Community Delegation of Tiflis

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *