3591) Droshak Newspaper: A Newspaper That Openly Supported Terrorism

Droshak Newspaper: A Newspaper That Openly Supported Terrorism
Prof. Dr. Jean-Louis MATTEI
Historian

Abstract: In this article, the author studies one of the issues of the Droshak newspaper published in January 1897. Droshak (Flag) was the official news organ of the ARF (Armenian Revolutionary Federation) or Dashnaktsutyun. This issue, in particular, mentions the Van Revolt of 1896.

The issue also talks about the death of the revolutionary Bedo, who fell during the clashes. Bedo is portrayed as the “Protective Angel of the Armenians” and in the newspaper, Armenians are often called upon to exact their revenge. In fact the, Van Problem was to continue in the following years. For this reason, the Van Committee Members Aram Manukyan and Ishan were to give weapons to the Armenians and kill all of their opponents. Through such violent means, they prepared the 1915 Van Revolt. So, the Armenian thesis pretending that the revolt happened by itself is rebutted. The part of the newspaper that tells how the Priest Komitas was killed by a terrorist from Dashnaktsutiun openly shows that the Armenian terrorism was first of all directed against the other Armenians who refused to co-operate with the Committees. After comparing different documents, the author speaks of the efforts made by Avetis Aharonian and Kristapor Mikaelian for promoting the Droshak on the international arena. In the future, Droshak was to give birth to the French Pro Armenia that concealed its terrorist mindset, and became a tool in the hands of the Dashnaktsutyun Members.

Keywords: Droshak newspaper, 1896 Van Revolt, 1915 Van Revolt, Pro Armenia newspaper. . . .


Droshak Newspaper: A Newspaper That Openly Supported Terrorism

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