File No. 861.00/2200
The Consul at Tiflis (Smith), temporarily in Moscow, to the Secretary of State1
[Received July 4, 3.10 p.m.]
On April 23, after declaration in favor of continuing war and union with Russia, the government of Gegechkori was forced to resign by vote of Armenian and Georgian majority in Diet, pro-German Chenkelli and Ramishvilli succeeding to power. From that time all effective armed resistance to Turkish advance ceased and territory from Kars, Alexandropol, and Vorontsovka as well as railroad to Julfa were occupied by Turks. Batum and southeast provinces are also occupied by them under the treaty of Brest Litovsk. Railroads Baku, Rostov-on-Don, and part of Baku-Groznyi line are held by native Moslems under Turkish officers. Up to date of my departure Persian road Enzeli to Resht was held by Kuchik Khan’s Gelds [Jangalis] amounting to about 3,000 men.
May 26 Georgia was declared independent and a de facto German protectorate accepted. Ramishvilli had informed me the day before that Georgians might be forced to this step to protect Tiflis from invasion by approaching Turkish forces. After dissolution of Diet, Moslem delegates are reported to have established state of Azerbaijan under Turkish protection, see previous telegrams. AH Transcaucasia and railroad systems with the exception of Baku now controlled by [Page 633] enemy and Turkish advance on Baku is under way. Turkish regular troops employed in Transcaucasia do not exceed 20,000. They are supplied entirely by military stores found on occupied territory. In the absence of German troops attempt is being made to arm prisoners and concentrate force in Turkestan. Number available limited. Tatar and Kurdish bands cooperating with Turks, roughly estimated at 50,000 well armed.
[Armenian] troops under General Nazarbekov, after being ordered by Chenkelli government to evacuate Kars, were dispersed by occupation of Alexandropol and the railroad by Turks. Armenian policy when leaving was to follow Georgian lead and appeal to Germany for protection. Turco-German friction relied on by Armenians and Georgians I believe is not serious as reported. Conquest of [omission] is more due to belief in the existence of such friction than to active Turkish military operations. Baku is still held by Bolsheviks, estimated total force about 6,000 Russians and 5,000 Armenians. This force cannot hold out for more than six weeks on account lack of supplies and backbone which latter can only be strengthened by nucleus of really efficient foreign troops. …
- Sent from the Consulate General at Moscow (No. 612).↩