2 - The British Plan for the Armenians

Summary

Driven by public opinion and imperial hubris, the British decided to solve the Armenian Problem. Their plan was to be imposed on the Ottomans by Europeans. It took little account of realities such as the makeup of the population of Eastern Anatolia or the difficulties of governing there. The assumption was that if the Ottoman Government followed the advice (or orders) of Europeans, all would be well. The essence of the plan, like all the plans to come, was the removal of Ottoman control over parts of the Ottoman Empire.

The British Plan

British Ambassador Currie in Istanbul was in close touch with the Armenian Patriarch, Matthew II (Simeon Martirosi Izmirlian). He shared with the Patriarch his plan for reforms, which drew on the Patriarch's own suggestions: provincial governors were to be approved by the Powers and were to serve for five years. A provincial council elected from members of each religious community according to the ratio in the population was to be in charge of finances. Each district was to have an administrative council made up of members of each community. A mixed gendarmerie would be made up of Christians and Muslims in proportion to their communities’ sizes. Justice would be in the hands of a court of assize made up of two Muslim and two Christian judges. The court would have control over judgments, appeals and the prisons. Unspecified ‘special measures’ would be created to protect Armenians.

Currie's plan envisaged Armenian representation in government down to the district level. Patriarch Izmirlian approved of Currie's plan, but wanted one inclusion – in addition to the governors, all provincial officials should be named by the governors approved by the Powers. Foreign Secretary Kimberley told Currie to make sure the other ambassadors knew of the views of the Patriarch as they drew up plans for reforms.

Currie's plan was totally unworkable and would not have achieved the Armenian control Currie and the Patriarch desired. Not only were Armenians in a minority in every province (Table 1.1), but there were extremely few Armenians in so many places.