LETTER FROM ENVER PASHA TO MUSTAFA KEMAL
Anadolu Büyük Millet Meclisi Reisi Mustafa Kemal Paşa Hazretlerine: 16 Temmuz 1921 Moskova
Dear My Pasha!
As I had explained to Yusuf Kemal and Rıza Nur Beys when they were in Moscow, and as I set forth in my letter and regulations and program I sent to you, I have told that foreign activities should be dependant on a party in the country. At that time, both Russian doctors and our doctors found out that Halil Pasha had caught tuberculosis and it was found appropriate for him to should go to his country and live in a mild atmosphere for which reason he departed. In the letter I received after his departure, it was said that he had gone to Trabzon to go to Tashkent since he and his family was called there. Because he told that Fuat Pasha told one evening to Halil Pasha in the Afghan embassy to wait for the approval to come from Anatolia, I felt that I face a strange condition I cannot understand.
Despite the telegram I wrote to you, they impose pressure on us saying that İttihat ve Terakki maneuver began in Europe.They insisted that he get out of the country because we and then you had relations with Bolsheviks..Then he departed after his family had come. I understood that Küçük Talat Bey was arrested and sent abroad when he came here. Then I found out that my brother Nuri Bey was kept kalabent in Erzurum. I do not approve such treatment against my relatives and friends despite I clearly notified you of everything. Therefore, I found it appropriate to explain the situation to you once more.
1- You know that when I went out of the country I went to the forces which I ensured their staying in Caucasus by means of İzzet Pasha cabinet, and the other friends went abroad to lessen the pressures of our enemies with the decision of general assembly.
2- I tried to go to Caucasus staying in Kirim. I could not be able to do this in spite of all the dangers I faced. Then I went to see friends in Berlin upon the will of the deceased, Talat Pasha. As a consequence of the negotiations, I understood that help to Anatolia could only be from Russia and departed for Russia together with Bahattin Şahir Bey. Although I was arrested two times in one year and kept in prison for five months, and fell with airplane six times, but I reached Moscow at last.
Nevertheless, Cemal Pasha and his friends who came to Moscow by other means whom I saw during my recent imprisonment tried to provide some help for Anatolia together with Halil Pasha, who had come to Moscow at that time. The reached decision was both for provision of this and departure of Halil for Iran and Cemal Pasha for Afghanistan for the movement against England. So did they.
At the same time, you ordered by means of Mulazım İbrahim Efendi in response to the letter by Cemal Pasha to you that both Halil and Cemal Pasha should do something for Anatolia. Thereupon, they found it appropriate to move in accordance with your desire despite the possibility of being untimely and tried to help and serve the objective not being in official connection with Anatolia.
When I came, I saw Bekir Sami Beys wife. She had been in Moscow for two months. When I was informed of your will, upon the question of Çiçerin, I replied that I did not have an official duty, but in all aspects, I supported assistance to Anatolia. Upon Bekir Sami Beys will, I went to Çiçerin only once to show that I am a supporter of Anatolian Government. Then I took part in private negotiations of friends on the same will. At that time the Russians did not even started negotiations. I said to Yusuf Kemal Bey that they will want Anatolia to become communist.
I tried to settle the issue as soon as possible with Radek and other Russians we worked together in Berlin in prison. Negotiations commenced at last. As Yusuf Kemal Bey thought, they did not propose Bolshevism.
As for pecuniary help, I tried to explain that it was appropriate to pursue the principle of taking what they give, and therefore that Anatolia would be spiritually more powerful because of the thought that there is some help from Russia, and Europe would consider us stronger thinking that Anatolia agreed with Bolsheviks. However, I never acted officially on behalf of Anatolia. Then, we decided to send Talat Bey and other one or two friends to go to Anatolia with a program based on an administration more suitable for and taking into consideration the seriously oppressed Anatolian people, and since, as I depicted in the congress clearly, I believed that it would have adverse effects, Turkey and East was not supporting Bolshevism.
Now, despite such clear situation, you act as if you have a rival. As I had said before, I and my friends aim at the liberation of the country and Islam with our policy we had pursued until now. However, we are in favor of working together in a manner appropriate for the people of our country and for country interests.
You are wrong if you consider me as a rival to yourself, this never crossed my mind. For us, liberation of the country is the main point. If an old guy like Ferit Pasha could do it, I would also support him, just like I support you, as a friend with whom we worked for years. We respect Gods helping to you. Since it is obvious from War ministry and my other behaviors before that that I had appreciated your government before, I do not want to talk about this issue more. But I have a request. Do not become arrogant!..I recommend as a friend who really likes you. Your success is Anatolias success. And if you behave violently from now, I am afraid this would not derive good results. This is not the nation of Sultan Hamit any more. It cannot stand despotism.
Look! I assure on behalf of all of my friends that we are not fond of any position or official post. Me, I will follow an ideal, that is to activate Muslims to fight against Europeans oppressing Islam. We will come to our country when we are useful for Islam world, which we try to save, or maybe when we think there is a danger... Thats all. Now I would like to express my regards and wish that God enables you great successes for Islam and the country.
ENVER
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