Karekin Pastirmaciyan
Encyclopedia
Karekin Pastermadjian (Armenian
: ), more famously known by his nom de guerre Armen Garo / Armen Karo, was one of the distinguished leaders of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
and an ambassador. He was the son of famous Armenian Haroutiun Pasdermadjian and the grandson of Khatchatour Efendi. He is also the namesake of the Armen Karo Student Association in Canada, which was founded in 2005.
). He finished his elementary education as one of the first graduates of the Sanasarian College of Erzeroum (Sanasarian Varjaran Academy) in 1891. Later in 1894, he continued his studies in France
to study agriculture at the Agricultural School of Nancy-Université
. During this period he was introduced to Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(ARF). He become younger generation of Armenian students of ARF
in Europe.
. He left hist studies to aid his compatriots in Zeitun. He soon found himself in Geneva
where he became an activist alongside his friends. He was sent to Egypt
to assist the Zeitun Resistance
. With Sarkis Srentz, Haik Thirakian (who assumed the name Hratch), Max Zevrouz, he left Egypt and returned to the Ottoman Empire to participate the efforts of the ARF. It was around this time that Karekin Pastermadjian first assumed the name Armen Karo.
of the Ottoman Bank
was his and Papken Siuni
's brain child. The day of the battle at Bank Ottoman was August 14, 1896. The attack took place at about 1:00 P.M. Armen Karo entered 10 minutes prior to the attack. He was to keep the teller busy and the bank officers from escaping. His men didn't arrive quickly so he went to a coffee shop across the street. When he saw the men through the doorway, he ran out to meet them. The battle was long and bloody where leader Papken Siuni was killed. Armen Karo took over as leader, ordering his group for much of the standoff.
After these events Karekin Bastermadjian returned to Europe to continue his unfinished studies. Mr. Hanoteau, however, the French
foreign minister at that time declared the Armenians who had been connected with Ottoman Bank Takeover as persona non grata and denied their stay in France, so he transferred to Switzerland and studied the natural sciences at the University of Geneva.
He studied as he participated in activities with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
. When the second general conference was convened in 1898, he was on the delegate roster representing the ARF committee in Egypt. Despite his youth, he had gained confidence and authority in the leading circles of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. In 1900 he completed his courseս and received the degree of Doctor of Science. After graduating from the University of Geneva with a doctoral degree in physical chemistry, he founded a lab in Tiflis for chemical research in 1901.
in 1905-1906 the ARF was involved in armed activities. Pastermadjian organized the self-defense of the Armenians
in Tiflis. He and five hundred volunteers succeeded in securing peace in the capital of Transcaucasia.
came in 1908.
The Armenians in Erzeroum, as well as the ARF, telegraphed to Bastermadjian and asked him to become their candidate in the coming elections for Representative to the Ottoman Parliament. He become the member to Ottoman parliament
part from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
deputies.
After the end of the Balkan Wars
, issues affecting the Armenians dominated mainstream politics during which Armen Karo was a deputy from Erzurum
. During his four years in Constantinople (Istanbul
) as a deputy, he worked for the railroad bill which was known to the public as Chester's bill
. Its main object was to build railroads as soon as possible in those vilayets which were considered to be Russia's future possessions. For that reason neither France nor Germany wished to undertake it, lest they should arouse the enmity of Russia. Another fundamental object was to build those lines with American capital, which would make it possible to counteract the Russo-Franco-German policies and financial intrigues. But in spite of all efforts unable to overcome the German, opposition in Constantinople, although, as the outcome of the struggle in connection with that bill, two ministers of public works were forced to resign their post.
Talaat on behalf of the "Committee of Union and Progress," offered the portfolio of public works, refused these proposals, for the simple reason that he did not wish to compromise in any way with the leaders of the government.
He had taken too active a part in 1913 in the conferences held for the consideration of the Armenian reforms
, and especially because, while parliamentary elections were going on during April, 1914, he was in Paris and Holland, as the delegate of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, to meet the inspectors general who were invited to carry out the reforms.
In the autumn of 1914, a month and a half before the beginning hostilities, he went to the Caucasus on a special mission given after the Armenian congress at Erzurum
, and joined the committee which had been appointed by the Armenian National Council
of the Caucasus to organize the Armenian volunteer units
.
In November of 1914, he accompanied the second battalion of the Armenian volunteers. As the representative of the executive committee of Tiflis, to prepare the local inhabitants, as the Russian army was about to advance into the captured territories of that country.
On November 14, at the Bergmann Offensive
, the second battalion of the Armenian volunteers engaged in battle for the first time, near Bayazid. In the course of a bloody combat which lasted twenty-four hours, Dro, the brave commander of the battalion, was seriously wounded, and he was forced immediately to take his place. From that day to March of the following year, he remained at the head of that battalion, and led it into eleven battles in the neighborhood of Alashkert, Toutakh, and Malashkert, until Dro recovered and returned to resume the command.
In the summer of 1915, He went to Van during the Van Resistance
. Khetcho (Catchik) (b.? - d. July 1915) was his assistant. He died on the shores of Lake Van following the greatin July, 1915.
In the spring of 1917, when the Russian Revolution turned the Caucasus up-side down, He and Dr. Hakob Zavriev
, was sent from the Caucasus to Petrograd to negotiate with the temporary Russian government concerning Caucasian affairs.
He left for America. in June of the 1917 as the representative of the Armenian National Council of Tiflis
. As the special Envoy of His Holiness the Catholicos of all the Armenians,
He was elected to be ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Armenia
to the United States
in Washington, D.C.
broke out, Armen Karo became very depressed and sick. When Armenia lost its independence, his sickness grew worse. He died of heart disease in Geneva, Switzerland on March 23, 1923, where he was attending a conference on Russia.
He is regarded as a national hero by Armenians, especially ARF supporters due to his numerous efforts in helping his people.
hero, including the Armenian Youth Federation "Armen Garo" Chapter of Racine, Wisconsin
, and the "Armen Karo" Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Student Association of Canada
.
Armenian language
The Armenian language is an Indo-European language spoken by the Armenian people. It is the official language of the Republic of Armenia as well as in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The language is also widely spoken by Armenian communities in the Armenian diaspora...
: ), more famously known by his nom de guerre Armen Garo / Armen Karo, was one of the distinguished leaders of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation is an Armenian political party founded in Tiflis in 1890 by Christapor Mikaelian, Stepan Zorian, and Simon Zavarian...
and an ambassador. He was the son of famous Armenian Haroutiun Pasdermadjian and the grandson of Khatchatour Efendi. He is also the namesake of the Armen Karo Student Association in Canada, which was founded in 2005.
Early life, 1891-1896
Karekin Pastermadjian was born in Karin (present day Erzurum ProvinceErzurum Province
Erzurum Province is a Province of Turkey, in the Eastern Anatolia Region of the country. It is bordered by the provinces of Kars and Ağrı to the east, Muş and Bingöl to the south, Erzincan and Bayburt to the west, Rize and Artvin to the north and Ardahan to the northeast. The provincial capital is...
). He finished his elementary education as one of the first graduates of the Sanasarian College of Erzeroum (Sanasarian Varjaran Academy) in 1891. Later in 1894, he continued his studies in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
to study agriculture at the Agricultural School of Nancy-Université
Nancy-Université
Nancy-Université federates the three principal institutes of higher education of Nancy, in Lorraine, France:* Henri Poincaré University : natural sciences, wrapping several faculties and engineering schools...
. During this period he was introduced to Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation is an Armenian political party founded in Tiflis in 1890 by Christapor Mikaelian, Stepan Zorian, and Simon Zavarian...
(ARF). He become younger generation of Armenian students of ARF
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation is an Armenian political party founded in Tiflis in 1890 by Christapor Mikaelian, Stepan Zorian, and Simon Zavarian...
in Europe.
Zeitun Resistance, 1895
His plans to return to his hometown after graduating came to a halt when massacres and conflict began in ZeitunSüleymanli
Süleymanlı , Zeitun, Zeytun, Zeytunfimis or Zeytünfimis), is a town in the Kahramanmaraş Province, Turkey.-See also:* Zeitun Resistance by the Armenian militia in this town against the Ottoman Empire, on two occasions – events still highly controversial and seen in different ways in Armenian and...
. He left hist studies to aid his compatriots in Zeitun. He soon found himself in Geneva
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
where he became an activist alongside his friends. He was sent to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
to assist the Zeitun Resistance
Zeitun Resistance
The Zeitun Resistance by the Armenian militia against the Ottoman Empire may refer to:*Zeitun Rebellion in 1895–1896, First Zeitun Resistance.*Second Zeitun Resistance....
. With Sarkis Srentz, Haik Thirakian (who assumed the name Hratch), Max Zevrouz, he left Egypt and returned to the Ottoman Empire to participate the efforts of the ARF. It was around this time that Karekin Pastermadjian first assumed the name Armen Karo.
Ottoman Bank Takeover, 1896
The 1896 Ottoman Bank Takeover1896 Ottoman Bank Takeover
The 1896 Ottoman Bank Takeover was the seizing of the Ottoman Bank in Constantinople, Ottoman Empire, on 26 August 1896, by members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation...
of the Ottoman Bank
Ottoman Bank
The Ottoman Bank was founded in 1856 in the Galata business section of İstanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, as a joint venture between British interests, the Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas of France, and the Ottoman government.The opening capital of the Bank consisted of 135,000 shares,...
was his and Papken Siuni
Papken Siuni
Bedros Parian better known by his nom de guerre Papken Siuni, was an important figure in the Armenian national movement, an Armenian Revolutionary Federation member and the leader, alongside Karekin Pastermadjian , of the 1896 Ottoman Bank takeover.- Early life :Bedros Parian was born in 1873 in...
's brain child. The day of the battle at Bank Ottoman was August 14, 1896. The attack took place at about 1:00 P.M. Armen Karo entered 10 minutes prior to the attack. He was to keep the teller busy and the bank officers from escaping. His men didn't arrive quickly so he went to a coffee shop across the street. When he saw the men through the doorway, he ran out to meet them. The battle was long and bloody where leader Papken Siuni was killed. Armen Karo took over as leader, ordering his group for much of the standoff.
Graduate studies, 1897-1900
foreign minister at that time declared the Armenians who had been connected with Ottoman Bank Takeover as persona non grata and denied their stay in France, so he transferred to Switzerland and studied the natural sciences at the University of Geneva.
He studied as he participated in activities with the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation is an Armenian political party founded in Tiflis in 1890 by Christapor Mikaelian, Stepan Zorian, and Simon Zavarian...
. When the second general conference was convened in 1898, he was on the delegate roster representing the ARF committee in Egypt. Despite his youth, he had gained confidence and authority in the leading circles of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. In 1900 he completed his courseս and received the degree of Doctor of Science. After graduating from the University of Geneva with a doctoral degree in physical chemistry, he founded a lab in Tiflis for chemical research in 1901.
Armenian-Tatar massacres, 1905-1906
During Armenian-Tatar massacresArmenian-Tatar massacres
The Armenian–Tatar massacres refers to the bloody inter-ethnic confrontation between Armenians and Azerbaijanis throughout the Caucasus in 1905–1907.The massacres started during the Russian Revolution of...
in 1905-1906 the ARF was involved in armed activities. Pastermadjian organized the self-defense of the Armenians
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
in Tiflis. He and five hundred volunteers succeeded in securing peace in the capital of Transcaucasia.
Deputy from Erzurum 1908-1912
The situation in the Caucasus was almost come to normal. Pastermadjian had been able to create for himself a life fairly prosperous financially. He secured the right to develop a copper mine, and working towards a partnership with a large company. His business required that he should stay in the Caucasus to continue his successful enterprise. Young Turk RevolutionYoung Turk Revolution
The Young Turk Revolution of 1908 reversed the suspension of the Ottoman parliament by Sultan Abdul Hamid II, marking the onset of the Second Constitutional Era...
came in 1908.
The Armenians in Erzeroum, as well as the ARF, telegraphed to Bastermadjian and asked him to become their candidate in the coming elections for Representative to the Ottoman Parliament. He become the member to Ottoman parliament
Second Constitutional Era (Ottoman Empire)
The Second Constitutional Era of the Ottoman Empire began shortly after Sultan Abdülhamid II restored the constitutional monarchy after the 1908 Young Turk Revolution. The period established many political groups...
part from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation is an Armenian political party founded in Tiflis in 1890 by Christapor Mikaelian, Stepan Zorian, and Simon Zavarian...
deputies.
After the end of the Balkan Wars
Balkan Wars
The Balkan Wars were two conflicts that took place in the Balkans in south-eastern Europe in 1912 and 1913.By the early 20th century, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia, the countries of the Balkan League, had achieved their independence from the Ottoman Empire, but large parts of their ethnic...
, issues affecting the Armenians dominated mainstream politics during which Armen Karo was a deputy from Erzurum
Erzurum
Erzurum is a city in Turkey. It is the largest city, the capital of Erzurum Province. The city is situated 1757 meters above sea level. Erzurum had a population of 361,235 in the 2000 census. .Erzurum, known as "The Rock" in NATO code, served as NATO's southeastern-most air force post during the...
. During his four years in Constantinople (Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
) as a deputy, he worked for the railroad bill which was known to the public as Chester's bill
Chester concession
The Chester Concession, approved by the congress of the newly founded Republic of Turkey on April 10, 1923, allowed United States development of oil and railways. It was an award of the significant importance and marked the introduction of U.S. capital for the first time on a large scale into the...
. Its main object was to build railroads as soon as possible in those vilayets which were considered to be Russia's future possessions. For that reason neither France nor Germany wished to undertake it, lest they should arouse the enmity of Russia. Another fundamental object was to build those lines with American capital, which would make it possible to counteract the Russo-Franco-German policies and financial intrigues. But in spite of all efforts unable to overcome the German, opposition in Constantinople, although, as the outcome of the struggle in connection with that bill, two ministers of public works were forced to resign their post.
Talaat on behalf of the "Committee of Union and Progress," offered the portfolio of public works, refused these proposals, for the simple reason that he did not wish to compromise in any way with the leaders of the government.
He had taken too active a part in 1913 in the conferences held for the consideration of the Armenian reforms
Armenian reform package
The Armenian reform package was an Ottoman Empire reform solution by which an inspector general would be appointed to oversee Armenian issues. The inspector general would be the highest position in vilayets where many Armenians lived. This project was prepared by A...
, and especially because, while parliamentary elections were going on during April, 1914, he was in Paris and Holland, as the delegate of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, to meet the inspectors general who were invited to carry out the reforms.
World War I
Armenian congress at Erzurum
The Armenian congress at Erzurum beginning at the end of July ending on August 2, 1914 was a watershed event between the Ottoman government and Ottoman Armenian citizens which members of the party in the rule , requested from Ottoman Armenians to facilitate the conquest of Transcaucasia by...
, and joined the committee which had been appointed by the Armenian National Council
Armenian National Council
Armenian National Council is a term that refers to*Armenian National Council of Karabagh was also referred as People's Government of Karabagh before the rename in September 1918*Armenian National Council of Baku*Armenian National Council of Tiflis...
of the Caucasus to organize the Armenian volunteer units
Armenian volunteer units
Armenian volunteer units, also known the Armenian volunteer corps were Armenian battalions in Russian and British armies during the World War I. Majority of these units support the military activities at the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I. The origin of these units were varied. Some units...
.
In November of 1914, he accompanied the second battalion of the Armenian volunteers. As the representative of the executive committee of Tiflis, to prepare the local inhabitants, as the Russian army was about to advance into the captured territories of that country.
On November 14, at the Bergmann Offensive
Bergmann Offensive
The Bergmann Offensive was the first engagement of the Caucasus Campaign. General Georgy Berhmann, who was the commander of the I Caucasian Army Corps took the initiative against the Ottoman Empire....
, the second battalion of the Armenian volunteers engaged in battle for the first time, near Bayazid. In the course of a bloody combat which lasted twenty-four hours, Dro, the brave commander of the battalion, was seriously wounded, and he was forced immediately to take his place. From that day to March of the following year, he remained at the head of that battalion, and led it into eleven battles in the neighborhood of Alashkert, Toutakh, and Malashkert, until Dro recovered and returned to resume the command.
In the summer of 1915, He went to Van during the Van Resistance
Van Resistance
The Siege of Van, Resistance at Van, Van Resistance or Van Rebellion, Van Revolt , Armenian Revolution at Van was an insurgency against the Ottoman Empire's attempts to massacre the Armenian population in the vilâyet of Van...
. Khetcho (Catchik) (b.? - d. July 1915) was his assistant. He died on the shores of Lake Van following the greatin July, 1915.
In the spring of 1917, when the Russian Revolution turned the Caucasus up-side down, He and Dr. Hakob Zavriev
Hakob Zavriev
Hakob Zavriev was an Armenian politician.Zavriev was a graduate of the St. Petersburg Army Medical Academy. He later joined the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. The viceroy of the Caucasus consulted him over the formation of the Armenian volunteer units in 1914...
, was sent from the Caucasus to Petrograd to negotiate with the temporary Russian government concerning Caucasian affairs.
He left for America. in June of the 1917 as the representative of the Armenian National Council of Tiflis
Armenian National Council of Tiflis
Armenian National Council in Tiflis was a representative body of the Armenians residing on the Georgian territory. It was established in October, 1917 at the All-Armenian Congress of Eastern Armenians. The Council had departments for military affairs, health, refugees' affairs and education...
. As the special Envoy of His Holiness the Catholicos of all the Armenians,
He was elected to be ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Armenia
Democratic Republic of Armenia
The Democratic Republic of Armenia was the first modern establishment of an Armenian state...
to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Death
When the 1915 Armenian GenocideArmenian Genocide
The Armenian Genocide—also known as the Armenian Holocaust, the Armenian Massacres and, by Armenians, as the Great Crime—refers to the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I...
broke out, Armen Karo became very depressed and sick. When Armenia lost its independence, his sickness grew worse. He died of heart disease in Geneva, Switzerland on March 23, 1923, where he was attending a conference on Russia.
He is regarded as a national hero by Armenians, especially ARF supporters due to his numerous efforts in helping his people.
Legacy
There are several organizations with chapters named after the ArmenianArmenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
hero, including the Armenian Youth Federation "Armen Garo" Chapter of Racine, Wisconsin
Racine, Wisconsin
Racine is a city in and the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin, United States. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 82,196...
, and the "Armen Karo" Armenian Revolutionary Federation
Armenian Revolutionary Federation
The Armenian Revolutionary Federation is an Armenian political party founded in Tiflis in 1890 by Christapor Mikaelian, Stepan Zorian, and Simon Zavarian...
Student Association of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.