Inter-Allied Commission

“ The members of the commission are under the impression that those Moslems who have become brigands will return to their homes and to peaceful pursuits when assured of settled conditions under Moslem Administration, and that Greek brigands, if offered an amnesty, will take the opportunity of trusting the Allies in a scheme for colonisation in a Greek zone. These men appear usually to have become brigands only when driven from their homes or after desertion from Turkish military service. ”

“ The dispersion of nearly the whole of the Moslem population of the kazas of Yalova and Guemlek is already a fait accompli.
In order, however, to avoid the recurrence of similar happenings in the future in other regions occupied by the Greek army, the commission proposes that an inter-Allied gendarmerie be introduced into these regions, or, at any rate, that Allied officers should be attached to the various Greek commands, for the purposes of surveillance. ”

“ We towed two caiques, to be left at Kapakli, to convey the refugees who were able to leave the mountains in view of the promise made by the commission.
About 200 refugees were found to have assembled on the beach. The “Bryony” left the caiques, with the necessary escort, and proceeded to Fistikli. That village appeared to be perfectly quiet. Turkish and Greek merchants were selling their olives on the landing-place.
An officer was sent ashore to make enquiries. The Turks, terrified at what was passing in other villages, were selling their goods before leaving for Armudli. ”

“ In the neighbourhood of Armudli, seven Greeks are also said to have been killed a few days ago. It was impossible to verify the truth of these statements. On the 12th May, on the other hand, two Greek youths of Guemlek, who were on their way to Kumlar, were found dead on the beach. This murder, which was not reported by the Greek authorities, was brought to the knowledge of the commission indirectly. (j.) Burning and looting of Turkish villages in this region occurred less than two months ago. This destruction seems systematic, being carried out by Greek and Armenian bands. ”

“ A sufficient cause is doubtless presented by the age-long hatred existing between the various races, increased, in so far as the Greek soldiers and the Greek population of Guemlek are concerned, by the presence of 2,000 Armenian refugees who suffered greatly at the hands of the Turks during the war, and by that of 3,600 Greek refugees, many of whom witnessed the atrocities committed by the Kemalists at Fulajik, Elmalik and Nicea. ”

“ In these villages, as also in the neighbourhood of that of Kumlar, the commission found twenty-eight bodies of old men and women who had been recently shot or knocked on the head. An infant was also found alive at Kapakli. (c.) The commission collected all the statements concerning recent events, and more particularly that of the Greek officer commanding a reconnoitring detachment which had operated between Guemlek and Armudli on the 13th, 14th and 15th May, as well as that of the Greek officer in command of the fixed post of Armudli. ”

“ The population of these villages is at present scattered. Some of the inhabitants assured their own safety by leaving the district before the destruction of their village. Others were either able to flee to the mountains when the bands attacked, or were, according to statements made, carried off by the assailants. Some have been massacred. The fate of the majority of the population which took refuge in the mountains is unknown. ”

“ Where either side is in the ascendancy the survivors of the other in many cases become fugitive; the men often become brigands. The estimate given by the Greek Colonel Commandant of the 11th Division at Ismid was of some 12,000 to 15,000 Christian refugees in Ismid itself, mostly women and children. ”

“ During the evening the “Ineboli” and three other boats returned to Kumlar. The remaining refugees were sent off.
May 20.—At 6·30 the “Bryony” and the boats sent by the Red Crescent left Kumlar for Guemlek.
The refugees were notified that they were to assemble on the beach in order to embark. At mid-day the commission went ashore to see what progress was being made. The Greek officers required that able-bodied men should be left behind, guaranteeing that they would be properly treated. This proposal was accepted by the commission. ”