The photo above is one of the 'evidences' which the Armenian lobby uses to prove that the tragedy of 1915 was a genocide.
In fact, the very same photo is enough proof to show that it was not a genocide; but a massive, ill-fated deportation.
Why?
First of all, we should remember that the Ottoman administration had decided to remove the Armenian population from the east of the country, where they formed a nationalist/secessionist militia who doubtlessly collaborated with the invading Russian enemy. These forces were not only fighting against the Ottoman armies, but they were also organizing savage massacres and pillages in the Turkish villages.
This decision was made only after the casualties of the Ottoman army that was battling with the Armenian militia increased dramatically. With these trains, the Ottoman state was not sending the Armenians concentration camps or gas chambers. The whole Armenian population was about to be relocated in the south of the country, mainly in Syria.
And what do you see in the photo?
1) In 1915, the Ottoman administration obviously didn't have enough logistic resources to transfer even their own troops to the frontier, but they still managed to provide some trains for the Armenian emigration.
2) Check the photo again. You'll see several adult men, a boy and a girl, all seem healthy and content. What kind of genocide is this? Some Armenian fanatics keep lying that it was an organized massacre against a certain ethnicity, including their women and children. But the so-called photographic evidence shows us that even their adult men were just being transferred to another part of the country, away from the war.
Of course many Armenians had to walk, to ride horses or to use other means all through the way; hence they were exposed to the terror of local bandits of various ethnic groups. Hence, thousands had been robbed, harassed, injured and killed; resulting with one of the biggest tragedies of the last century.
However, as I've written before, it was not a genocide, but a war crime; because the state should have protected its civilian population while taking such war-time measures. The cause was justified, although the practice was shamefully clumsy.
But I repeat: At the end of the day, it was not a genocide. If we'll change the definition of genocide just to satisfy today's Armenians, then ie. the Russians should also be condemned for the genocide of the Meskhetian Turks. If you want to see a real genocide in its current meaning, then study the Holocaust or the Srebrenica. You'll see that they've got nothing to do with what had happened in 1915 and you'll be surprised by those fanatic Armenian lies.
