ARMENIANS IN THE AMERICAN PRESS DURING THE PROCESS OF LAUSANNE PEACE CONFERENCE
LOZAN BARIŞ KONFERANSI SÜRECİNDE AMERİKAN BASININDA ERMENİLER

Author : Esra Sarıkoyuncu DEĞERLİ
Number of pages : 33-53

Abstract

Lausanne Peace Conference, which enabled official recognition of Turkish Republic as a respectable member of the international society, continued for 8 months between 20th November 1922 and 4th February 1923 and between 23rd April 1923 and 24th July 1923. The United States of America participated in the conference as an “observer” so as to ensure that the negotiations between the Entente Powers and Turkey would proceed without violating the American interests. Not only because the USA appeared in the conference as an observer but also because of the importance of the negotiations, the American press followed the conference closely and focused mainly on the matter of providing a home for Armenians. American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief, founded in November 1915, was also effective in the interest of the American press in the Armenians residing in Anatolia. This committee, from the time it had been established, pursued a systematical propaganda through press to provide a home for Armenians in the Anatolian land. Meanwhile, prior to the conference, the committee, by enabling the missionary reports about Armenian deportation to appear in the press, wanted to create hostility against Turks in the American public opinion on one hand and on the other hand to increase sympathy for Armenians. Throughout Lausanne Conference, this committee and the Armenian Lobby in America increased their propaganda activities through press in favour of Armenians residing in Anatolia. In the study, the approach of the American press to Armenian matter throughout Lausanne Peace Conference and whether it was effective on the American government and its Lausanne delegation will be analysed.

Keywords

Lausanne Peace Conference, Armenians, Turkey, America, American Press

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