Papers of the Interdepartmental Conference on Middle Eastern Affairs [‎35r] (69/290)

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th. Armenians and the Georgians, who for centuries have lived together more 01 less
andcably, are now practically in a state of war, actual hostilities having only cease
la t night at midnight. The ostensible casus belli arose over a disputed portion oi
the Borchalinsk province. This district, known as the Lorinsky Okrug, has for the
past year been occupied by the Turk. At first much friction took place between the
Armenian peasant and the Georgian Militia, and eventually ended in open hostilities
and war being declared, it is difficult to state who actually took the initiati\e, but
judging by the preparedness of the Armenians, and the fact that during the first week
they practically conquered the whole of the Borchalinsk province, the general vote is
cast in favour of the Armenians having commenced. 1 he Armenians now lay claim to
the neighbouring province of Akhalkalik, on the plea that the greater number of the
inhabitants are of Armenian nationality {vide paragraph 3 above, p. 18).
It seems more probable that the Armenian Government at Erivan weie as
against a breach of the peace as was the Georgian Government at l ifiis. I ie
Armenian people undoubtedly realise, much more than does the Georgian Government,
that their destiny and territorial aspirations do not depend upon themselves, but will
eventually be settled by the Powers of Europe. An open conflict between the two
people might easily have been avoided, but apparently other elements v\eie at wor
behind the scenes. This may be judged from the following notes :
1 . As mentioned above, for some time past the treatment meted out to the
Russians by the Georgian Government is little short of persecution, and the followers
of Denikin are now the avowed enemies of the present. Georgian Government.
2 . Most of the Russian officers resident in 1 iflis, formerly by no means pro-
Armenian, are now openly sympathising with the Armenians.
3 . The Armenian army is to a great extent officered by regular officers, most of
them followers of Denikin. These people call the Armenian Army the 9th Denikin
Army, and service with it counts as service in the volunteer army. .
4 . On the 27th December, according to authoritative information, the Georgian
Government learnt that certain members of Denikin s staff strongly advocated attacking
Georgia with a view to occupation of the province of Sochi, which for some time past
has been in dispute between the Russians and the Georgians. .
5. Armenian authorities here, when asked to use their influence to stop hostilities,
replied that, although they were convinced that the Erivan Government would do
their utmost to keep the peace, they doubted its power to stop the army.
6 . Two months ago, on or about the 1 st November, certain Russian and Armenian
officers, notably a Colonel Shmagailov, made an attempt to blow up the large railway
bridge between Tiflis and Notanebe. Had this been effected mobilization and move
ments of Georgian troops would have been impossible for two or three months^ 1 re
people concerned in the attempt are Colonel Shmagailov, caught in the act. General
Diunkovsky, Lieutenant Alexandrov, General von Reubenau, and some Armenians. All
these people are Monarchists and followers of Denikin. Of the above, only Shmagailov
was caught in the act. The others are suspected owing to their having in their
possession large quantities of explosives, for which they were unable to account. Hie
charges form two cases and are to be tried separately. Shmagailov has already ieen
tried and condemned to death.
All the accused state that they were acting as British agents at the request of
Colonel Pike, then Military Agent" in Tiflis and subsequently at Yladikavkas. It is
an established fact, and known to Captain Hulls and certain agents in Mis, that these
people were in communication with the British Mission at \ ladikavkas, and certificates
and declarations have been given to that effect in order to endeavour to save the lives
of* the accused.
The Georgian authorities, however, are convinced (although not denying that the
accused acted with the knowledge of the British Mission) that the main object was to
paralyse any mobilisation or movements of Georgian troops ; and that since the destruc
tion of the bridge could only have assisted the Allies if it had been effected many
months before, it is evident that the main object was, that they applied to the British
Mission as early as June last, and used the British Mission in order to obtain money
and assistance for their own scheme, delaying it to suit their own ends until peace in
Europe was a foregone conclusion. That the identity of the people concerned in the
plot plainly points to a premeditated plan on the part of some of the supporters of
Denikin to suit the moment when he and the Armenians should take the offensive
against Georgia.