TheArmenian reforms, also known as theYeniköy accord, was a reform plan devised by European powers between 1912 and 1914 that envisaged the creation of two provinces inOttoman Armenia placed under the supervision of two European inspectors general, who would be appointed to oversee matters related to theArmenian issues.[1][2] The inspectors general would hold the highest position in the six easternvilayets (provinces), where the bulk of the Armenian population lived, and would reside at their respective posts inErzurum andVan. The reform package was signed into law on February 8, 1914,[3] though it was ultimately abolished on December 16, 1914, several weeks afterOttoman entry intoWorld War I.
TheBalkan wars had created an opportunity for the revival of new plans to improve the conditions of theOttoman Armenians whichwere persecuted. TheFrench,British andItalians were anxious to limitGerman influence in theOttoman Empire.[citation needed] In addition, theRussian government encouraged theCatholicos of Armenia to appeal through the viceroy of the Caucasus to the Ottoman government for intervention in favor of reforms in Armenian-inhabitedvilayets. This project was prepared by André Mandelstam, thedragoman at the Russian Embassy in Istanbul, and representatives from theArmenian national assembly. It was introduced and discussed inConstantinople at a meeting of the ambassadors of France, Britain and Italy.
The project suggested the formation of a two large provinces[4] from sixvilayets (Erzurum,Van,Bitlis,Diyarbakır,Kharput andSivas) under either anOttoman Christian or a European governor general. The governor general was to be appointed by the Powers[clarification needed] for the ensuing five years. Germany opposed the project and succeeded in obtaining significant modifications, including splitting the region into two provinces.[5]
The reform package was signed on February 8, 1914, between the Ottoman Empire (represented by Grand VezirSaid Halim Pasha)[6] and Russia.Louis Constant Westenenk, an administrator for theDutch East Indies, andNicolai Hoff, a major in theNorwegian Army, were selected as the first two inspectors.[7] Hoff was in Van when the war broke out, just as Westenenk was preparing to depart for his post inErzurum.[8][9]
HistorianMargaret Lavinia Anderson states:
On the two demands existential for the Armenians— that muhacir not be settled in these seven provinces (which would make nonsense of proportional representation) and that measures be undertaken to return stolen lands to their original Armenian owners—the Porte remained adamant, and they went unmentioned in the Yeniköy accord. European negotiators were left with the hope that the two European inspector-generals stipulated in the accord might be able to adjudicate such problems.[10]
130