By Badmakagh
Despite the fact that during the First World War the Allied Powers—
England, France, and the USA—called the Armenian nation their ‘little ally,’
after their victory in the war they refused for many months to recognize the
Republic of Armenia as a reality. They dragged out this recognition for nearly
two years, until the beginning of 1920. Finally, on January 19, 1920, the Allied
Supreme Council came to the conclusion to recognize the Republic of
Armenia.
On January 19, 1920, the Allied Supreme Council finally decided the
following:
1. That the government of the Armenian state is recognized as a de facto
(actual) government.
2. That this recognition does not predetermine the issue of the future
borders of that state.12
This very belated decision of the Allies, which took place on January 19,
1920 in Paris, where they were discussing the situation in Transcaucasia as the
Russian Red Army advanced toward the region, can be explained as a political
move to win the favor of the Republic of Armenia and to push it into fighting
against Bolshevik Russia. Otherwise, this very delayed recognition could not be
explained.
Four days later that joyful news finally reached Yerevan. The best
account of the Armenian people’s rejoicing was given by Simon Vratsian, who
among other things relates the following, “On January 23 the news of
recognition was received in Yerevan and spread through society with lightning
speed. Within an hour the entire city was already on its feet. At 3 o’clock a
huge crowd gathered in front of the city governor’s building; the army also
came with its band. Governor A. Shahkhatuni delivered an enthusiastic speech
about the significance of the day and proposed that everyone kneel in honor of
the martyrs of Armenia’s freedom. The army and the many thousands of
people, as one, silently went down on their knees. Then the army and the
11
. Kevork Mesrop, Armenian History, Volume 1, page 225, in Armenian language.
12
. M. S. Karapetian, Armenia in the Years 1912-1920, Yerevan, Zangak, 2003, page
272, in Armenian language.
Page 9 of 13public, with music, proceeded toward the Parliament, where from the balcony
President Av. Sahakian delivered an emotional speech.”
From there, the crowd moved toward the government building and held
enthusiastic demonstrations. During Prime Minister A. Khatissian’s speech,
cannon fire announced the joyful news to the people. Afterwards, the army—
cavalry and infantry—accompanied by the band, marched solemnly through
the streets of Yerevan under the people’s jubilant applause. The city had taken
on a festive appearance: houses and shops were decorated with flags and
carpets. In the evening there was a fireworks display, while from the station
the armored train ‘Azadamart’ illuminated the city”.13
After the recognition by the Allied Supreme Council, other governments
in turn adopted the same decision: the United States on January 26, France,
Great Britain, and Italy on January 28, Japan on March 7, and so on….