The entry has three separate dates: Moser’s quoted report, Bristol’s forwarding telegram and its receipt. Phrases such as “it is reported” remain reports, not independent verification of the claims.
“October 4, 5 p.m. Armenian Government informed me tonight that Armenia is in a state of war against Turkey. A general mobilization is called for all males over the age of 35 and the railroad turned over to military authorities. It is reported that Georgia has agreed to assist Armenia and to compel the mobilization for service in Armenia of all men in Georgia according to their nationality. The Turks occupied [Sarikamish] which contain[s] considerable stores of the Near East Relief and some anxiety is felt for the personnel of the Near East Relief especially at Kars. Tonight military patrol established at Tiflis to guard police station and government institutions from possible Bolshevik demonstration in support [of] Turk Nationalists. Moser.”
Descriptions of motives, political representation and likely conduct are Bristol’s assertions in a contemporary report. The archive preserves his wording without endorsing it as an established account.
493. Section 2.[29] The Nationalist movement was organized as a protest against the Greek occupation of Smyrna, and to resist any similar aggression of the Armenians in the eastern vilayet[s]. This feeling against the Greeks has been increased, and is the only thing that could have held the Nationalists together so long. Therefore, it is safe to state that the feeling against Armenia gaining any territory in the eastern vilayets is most bitter and stronger than ever before. No one could believe that the Turks would evacuate any territory ceded to Armenia without being forced to make such evacuation. The Nationalists, who represent practically the vast majority of the Turks, do not recognize the treaty signed by the Constantinople Government and it is most probable that they will have to be forced by the Allies, assisted by Greece, to recognize the treaty. The Turkish treaty gives to Armenia only such portions of the eastern vilayets as may be decided by the arbitration of the President. This would seem to impose upon him the responsibility for enforcing the evacuation of territory thus given to Armenia. Such regions are practically empty of Armenians to-day and repatriation from the Erivan Republic would result in disorder unless protection were assured. End of section 2. Repeated to Paris.
