The United States contributed a significant amount of aid to the Armenians during the Armenian Genocide. Shown here is a poster for the American Committee for Relief in the Near East vowing that they (the Armenians) "shall not perish."

American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief after 1918 American Committee for Relief in the Near East (ACRNE) in short Near East Relief was a relief organization established during World War I. Its primary aim was to alleviate the suffering of the Armenian people under Ottoman rule. Turkish Courts-Martial of 1919-1920 were court martials of the Ottoman Empire after the armistice of Mudros during the aftermath the World War One, which the leadership of the Committee of Union and Progress and selected former officials had court-martial with/including the charges of subversion of the... Operation Nemesis is the Armenian Revolutionary Federation code-name for the covert operation in the 1920s to assassinate the Turkish masterminds of the Armenian Genocide. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Partitioning of the Ottoman Empire is direct consequence of the World War I with the Ottomans involvement in the Middle Eastern theatre. ... Denial of the Armenian Genocide is the assertion that the events following April 24, 1915 and the Tehcir Law of May 1915 were not part of a state organized genocide, that an Armenian Genocide did not occur. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... The Armenians are a nation and an ethnic group, originating in the Caucasus and eastern Asia Minor. ... Motto دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) Anthem Ottoman imperial anthem Borders in 1680, see: list of territories Capital Söğüt (1299–1326) Bursa (1326–65) Edirne (1365–1453) Constantinople (Ä°stanbul, 1453–1922) Language(s) Ottoman Turkish Government Monarchy [[Category:Former monarchies}}|Ottoman Empire, 1299]] Sultans  - 1281–1326...

Henry Morgenthau, Sr., American ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during the Armenian Genocide, played a key role in rallying support for the organization. The primary effort occurred between 1915 and 1930, in distributing humanitarian relief across a wide range of geographical locations. Henry Morgenthau Henry Morgenthau (April 26, 1856 - November 25, 1946), was a U.S. diplomat and businessman, most famous as the American ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. ... Armenian Genocide photo. ... Year 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Operations

The leadership of James L. Barton and Cleveland H. Dodge was the main instrument in this pledge.^{[citation needed]}

Stage one, May 1915 - April 1917

See also: Tehcir Law

In 1915, under the so-called Tehcir Law, the Ottoman Empire began confiscating the possessions of the Armenians of Anatolia, while undertaking the forcible deportation of the Christian minority, ostensibly to Syria. The "American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief" was founded in the USA in 1915. The US Department of State's American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions" contributed to founding the Committee.^{[citation needed]} The Tehcir Law The Tehcir Law was a law of the Ottoman Empire setting the rules and conditions of the tehcir (forced relocations)[1][2]. The law was passed by the parliament on May 27, 1915 and came into force on June 1, 1915, with publication in Takvim-i Vekayi... The Tehcir Law The Tehcir Law was a law of the Ottoman Empire setting the rules and conditions of the tehcir (forced relocations)[1][2]. The law was passed by the parliament on May 27, 1915 and came into force on June 1, 1915, with publication in Takvim-i Vekayi... Anatolia and Europe Anatolia (Turkish: from Greek: Ανατολία - Anatolia) is a peninsula of Western Asia which forms the greater part of the Asian portion of Turkey, as opposed to the European portion (Thrace, or traditionally Rumelia). ... The United States Department of State, often referred to as the State Department, is the Cabinet-level foreign affairs agency of the United States government, equivalent to foreign ministries in other countries. ...

According to the agreements, the funds were delivered through the American Embassy in Constantinople. The Ottoman parliament passed a law^[1] to coordinate the relief efforts originating from the Armenian immigrants (USA) and its distribution to the Armenians under the knowledge of the government by these institutions. The money and resources were directly transferred to the Armenians who were in need by the Armenian missionaries and USA consuls, without Ottoman Government involvement.

First Year

In 1915 the relief effort fell into four categories;^[2] Year 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

• general relief (supply the needy with a daily ration of bread)
• special relief (for those considered only mildly or temporarily destitute, such as transit or Sick "Armenian Soldiers")
• medical work (the numbers are reaching thousands monthly)
• missionaries (giving food, education clothing bedding to orphans)

ACRNE worked with concert with the American Councils in Syria and helped over 150,000 refugess and "several hundret thousand" in Caucasus front.^[3] Combatants Ottoman Empire Russian Empire Democratic Republic of Armenia Central Caspian Dictatorship Democratic Republic of Georgia Commanders Enver Pasha Vehip Pasha Kerim Pasha Mustafa Kemal Kazım Karabekir Friedrich Freiherr Kress von Kressenstein Illarion Vorontsov-Dashkov Nikolai Yudenich Andranik Ozanian Drastamat Kanayan Garegin Njdeh Movses Silikyan Lionel Dunsterville Strength •3rd...

Second Year

In 1916, relief activities increased, with funds being dispersed to Anatolia, beyond the initial Syria, Egypt and Greece.^[4] In other places such as in Aleppo missionaries had enough support for 1,350 orphans and asking more founds to reach the others.^[5] 1916 (MCMXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ...

Third Year

On April 1917, the USA entered into war against Ottoman Empire. This disrupted the ground activities of the committee, however the emergency drive of the ACRNE continued with increasing amount during the next 14 months before the end of the World War I. In July 1918, James L. Barton, (the chairman) said "$10,000,000 had already been raised and distributed from the onset of the program, the need would continue into the postwar years". 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ...

Stage two, December 1918 - 1930

See also: Aftermath of World War I

With the end of the hostilities, Armistice of Mudros and the Occupation of Istanbul, Allies have access to Ottoman Empire with the assigned Allied High Commissioners ("military administration") (USA - Mark Lambert Bristol, British - Somerset Arthur Gough-Calthorpe). With the new structure the change in mission the committee had taken and committee renamed itself to the "American Committee for Relief in the Near East". These changes were incorporated to USA by act of Congress in 1919. Woodrow Wilson and the American peace commissioners during the negotiations on the Treaty of Versailles. ... The Armistice of Mudros (30 October 1918), which ended the hostilities on Middle Eastern theatre of World War I between Ottoman Empire and Allies, was signed by the Minister of Marine Affairs Rauf Bey) and the British Admiral Somerset Arthur Gough-Calthorpe), on the aboard HMS Agamemnon in Moudros port... Combatants Turkish Revolutionaries Commanders Mustafa Kemal 1 1commander during restoration. ... Mark Lambert Bristol (17 April 1868 – 13 May 1939) was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. ... Admiral of the Fleet the Honourable Sir Somerset Arthur Gough-Calthorpe (1865–1937) was a British Royal Navy admiral. ...

In this new stage, Red Cross nurses were also assigned to the American Committee for Relief in the Near East.

Activities, 1919

ACRNE had allocated. The American relief organizations raised $116,000,000 of assistance, delivering food, clothing, and materials for shelter between 1915 and 1930. ACRNE distributed goods worth nine million dollars in the first half of 1919 and dispensed much of ten million dollars in grain and other commodities. The Near East Relief placed thousands of orphans in mission facilities in the USA, with the expectation that these orphans become manhood and womanhood"

Relief efforts were astonishing. Early in January 1919, ACRNE opened a unit in Istanbul (Constantinople). The ACRNE received red-carpet treatment in the Ottoman Empire. Collaboration with the Empire ACRNE managed (reached levels) to deliver cereal at the rate of 5,000 tons a month. By the end of 1919, about 30,000 metric tons of food and clothing had arrived. Using Constantinople as a distribution center beginning with February 12 over a 1,000,000,000 worth of goods, including 2.000 tons of flour, 2.500 cases of canned foods, 500 cases of condensed milk, 18 trucks, 20 ambulances, 500 sewing machines, 200 oil stoves, 1.750.000 yards of cloth, 50.000 blankets, 800 hospital cots, 26 tents, 78 X-ray machines and 200 tons of coal moved to Caucuses. Istanbul (Turkish: , Greek: , historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see other names) is Turkeys most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. ... Motto دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) Anthem Ottoman imperial anthem Borders in 1680, see: list of territories Capital Söğüt (1299–1326) Bursa (1326–65) Edirne (1365–1453) Constantinople (Ä°stanbul, 1453–1922) Language(s) Ottoman Turkish Government Monarchy [[Category:Former monarchies}}|Ottoman Empire, 1299]] Sultans  - 1281–1326... February 12 is the 43rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... A caucus is most generally defined as being a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement. ...

In 1919, a serious food shortage and famine in the eastern parts of the Ottoman Empire Image File history File links Size of this preview: 695 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (697 × 601 pixel, file size: 769 KB, MIME type: image/png) This image is in the public domain in the United States. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Motto دولت ابد مدت Devlet-i Ebed-müddet (The Eternal State) Anthem Ottoman imperial anthem Borders in 1680, see: list of territories Capital Söğüt (1299–1326) Bursa (1326–65) Edirne (1365–1453) Constantinople (Ä°stanbul, 1453–1922) Language(s) Ottoman Turkish Government Monarchy [[Category:Former monarchies}}|Ottoman Empire, 1299]] Sultans  - 1281–1326...

In 1919, ACRNE cared for 132,000 orphans, Sivas unit. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (968x824, 1475 KB) Summary Newspaper Pictorials, http://memory. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ... Sivas is the provincial capital of Sivas Province in Turkey. ...

In 1919 - "American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief" pledges for $30,000,000.00 for the 1,770,000 person among 4,000,000 in Syria who are at least 400 miles away from their home Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ...

The nation-wide campaign for $30,000,000 to aid the Armenians and Syrians was begun in New York recently by the Armenian Committee for Relief in the Near East.

In explanation of how the money is to be spent, the committee made the following statement:

There are nearly 4,000,000 souls to be fed, clothed, and started on a new life. Of these 2,900,000 are destitute and must be fed a soon as the funds are provided. It will cost exactly $5 a month for six months to feed each of the destitutes. This makes a total of $4,500,000 for six months for food supplies. Four dollars for etch person will be needed for clothing and bedding, making another item of $8,000,000.

One million seven hundred and seventy thousand persons are at an average of 4 miles from home and must be taken back at a cost of $3 for each person, thus requiring $5,310,000 for this purpose. For these repatriated persons 50,000 temporary houses will be needed to replace the ones destroyed by the Turks. These will cost $50 each, making a total of $2,500,000.

It will also cost $4,000,000 to provide orphanages for 400,000 orphans. Finally, to make these people self-supporting as soon as possible, another $2,500,000 must be spent for seeds, farm implements, &c.

This makes a total of $36,810,000 of which New York's quota is $6,000,000.

– Near east report for Syria, The New York Times Current History Magazine, April-May-June 1919

Methods of operation

A 1915 or 1916 photograph promoting Near East Relief's work with Greek and Armenian refugee children. The original caption reads: "Making friends with the sea—These orphan children at Marathon, Greece, were brought from the interior of Asia Minor by the Near East Relief and never saw the sea before".

ACRNEs methods of operation and fund rising showed a departure from traditional methods. Instead of using clergy and volunteers, ACRNE used professional full time employees with keen business skills, which was a drastic change from previously directed relief the efforts.^[6] Near East relief, besides the traditional (Red Cross) methods of the Sunday observances across the USA; used the press corps much more effectively and routinely; used modern methods of communication and imagery to transfer the ideas were impressive.^[7] “Between 1915 and 1928, over twenty different American magazines ran hundreds of stories on the Armenians, which by the relief committee’s design, were central to raising money.”^[8] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 750 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (4096 × 3274 pixel, file size: 852 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Greek and Armenian refugee children in the sea near Marathon, Greece, c. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 750 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (4096 × 3274 pixel, file size: 852 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Greek and Armenian refugee children in the sea near Marathon, Greece, c. ... Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. ... Volunteers is a 1969 album by American psychedelic rock band, Jefferson Airplane. ...

ACRNEs fund rising showed a departure from traditional methods with increase in sophistication and intensity, during 1919. ACRNE adapted a monthly news bulletin and hired Talcott Williams of Columbia University’s journalism faculty for the editorial. A newspaper article, also published in Literary Digest, adapted a script of fanatical Muslims forcing 500 chaste Armenian teenagers to accept Islam, so that they can be servants in harems.^[9] This articles published in full-page. Another advertisement material included was depictions of lands made luminous by the footprints of Jesus, and Christ-led people rescuing needy fellow Christians. Talcott Williams, (1849–1928), was an American journalist and educator, born at Abeih, Turkey, the son of Congregational missionaries. ... Columbia University is a private research university in the United States and a member of the prestigious Ivy League. ... The Literary Digest was an influential general-interest magazine in the early 20th century United States. ... There is also a collection of Hadith called Sahih Muslim A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Persian: Mosalman or Mosalmon Urdu: مسلمان, Turkish: Müslüman, Albanian: Mysliman, Bosnian: Musliman) is an adherent of the religion of Islam. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ... Coming from the Arab tradition, the harîm حريم (compare haram) is the part of the household forbidden to male strangers. ...

Aurora Mordigonian

ACRNE also used a new method by putting a face to increase the dissemination among different sectors. The face and story was adapted from Aurora Mordigonian. The ACRNE also sent a team to Ottoman Empire to prepare a movie version to play in the theaters. ACRNE leased time from theatres in fifty cities.^[10] The movie included wide variety of famous people. Scenes included flogging of girls who refused to enter harems, short of being raped. The most dramatic scene was the nailing of twelve Armenian maidens to crosses, depicting the salvation.

Summary

In its fifteen years of existence, ACRNE eventually spent over ten times of initial estimate, see original estimate, that amount and helped an estimated close to 2,000,000 refugees^[11] ACRNE cared for 132,000 Armenian orphans from Tiflis and Yerevan Constantinople, Beirut, Damascus, and Jerusalem, Sivas. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 344 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (356 × 620 pixel, file size: 110 KB, MIME type: image/png) This image is in the public domain in the United States. ... View of Tiflis from the Grounds of Saint David Church, ca. ... Location of Yerevan in Armenia Coordinates: Country Armenia Established 782 BC Government  - Mayor Yervand Zakharyan Area  - City 227 km²  (87. ... Map of Constantinople. ... For other uses, see Beirut (disambiguation). ... Nickname: The Seal of the Damascus Governorate Syria Syria Governorates Damascus Governorate Government  - Governor Bishr Al Sabban Area  - City 573 km²  (221. ... For other uses, see Jerusalem (disambiguation). ... Sivas is the provincial capital of Sivas Province in Turkey. ...

A relief organization for refugees in the Middle East helped donate over $102 million (butget $117,000,000) to Armenians both during and after the war.^[12]

Notes