Extermination of Greeks

The Times, March 21st 1919, page 9.

EXTERMINATION OF GREEKS.
A TURKISH PLOT REVEALED.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, MARCH 19.
Reports from Asia Minor are causing considerable disquietude among the Greek delegates to the Peace Conference. During the past few weeks a number of outrages and assassinations of Greek inhabitants have occurred, and have apparently been arranged in accordance with some concerted plan.
The fears inspired by these outrages have now been accentuated by copies of secret instructions sent by the Turkish commandant of Aidin constabulary to the brigade of police, and by the Aidin constabulary to the police force at Roshadieh, the originals of which have fallen into Greek hands. According to these documents, which M. Venizelos has communicated to the Council of Great Powers, the police are instructed to prepare for the extermination of the Greek population. A number of known komitadjis have been concentrated in the neighbourhood of Aidin and supplied with money and arms. The police are therefore instructed to "spare no efforts for the public safety" and to start a general massacre on the slightest pretext. Each member of the police force is commanded to kill four or five Greeks.
These instructions have been given in writing, but they announce that oral instructions as to the exact method of conducting the massacre will follow.