The Armenian National Council on April 14 addressed the following
protest to the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to the President
of the Reichstag:
The Armenian National Council, as the supreme body for the
expression of the will of the Armenian people, is addressing you
in connection with the tragic state of things in Armenia. Armenia
is flooded with blood and, only recently saved from centuries of
slavery, is again condemned to fresh sufferings. Following upon
the withdrawal of the Russian troops, Turkish troops have already
invaded the undefended country and are not only killing every
Turkish Armenian but also every Russian in Armenia.
In spite of the terms of the peace treaty, which recognizes the
right of self-determination for these Caucasian regions, the
Turkish Army is advancing toward Kars and Ardahan, destroying the
country and killing the Christian population. The responsibility
for the future destiny of the Armenians lies entirely with
Germany, because it was Germany's insistence that resulted in the
withdrawal of the Russian troops from the Armenian regions, and at
the moment it rests with Germany to prevent the habitual excesses
of the Turkish troops, increased by revengefulness and anger.
It is hard to believe that a civilized State like Germany, which
has the means for preventing the excesses of her ally, will permit
the Brest-Litovsk treaty to be used by the German people, who have
been involved in war against their own will, as a means for the
creation of incalculable sufferings.
The National Council firmly believes that you will undertake the
necessary measures, which depend solely upon you, to influence the
Turkish authorities with a view to saving the Armenian people from
fresh horrors.