The Balkan Wars Through The Eyes Of The New York Times

Year 2013, Volume: 2013 Issue: XVI, - , 01.12.2012

Fikrettin Yavuz

https://doi.org/10.14225/Joh319

Abstract

The Balkan Wars are considered one of the biggest defeats in the Turkish war history. The first phase of the war continued intermittently from September 1912, to October 1913 would cause almost the collapse of the Ottoman state. The defeats of the Ottoman army on all fronts, the loss of important cities in the Balkans one after another and the immediate withdrawal of the Turkish army demonstrated the difficult situation that the country has fallen into. The Ottoman government that had to sign armistice and peace in the face of losing Istanbul was able to get back some of the lost territory in the second phase of the war growing out of the problems of the triumphant Balkan states. This arduous period seen as a rehearsal for the First World War was followed closely by the whole World. The developments were communicated to the world public through the newspapers. Being relatively out of the European political delusion, the American public shown interest in these developments. How did the Americans perceive these developments in the Balkans? How did they communicate the wars between the Balkan allies and the Ottoman army to their own public? Within the frame of such questions, the main aim of this study is to discuss in details the Balkan Wars from the perspective of the New York Times, one of the most important newspapers of America.

Keywords

Balkan Wars, Western Public Opinion, New York Times, Turkish Army, Balkan Nations

NEW YORK TIMES GAZETESİ’NİN GÖZÜYLE BALKAN SAVAŞLARI

Abstract

Balkan Savaşları Türk harp tarihindeki en büyük mağlubiyetlerinden biri olarak telakki edilir. Ekim 1912’den Eylül 1913’e kadar aralıklı olarak devam eden savaşın birinci aşaması özellikle Osmanlı devletinin neredeyse tarih sahnesinden silinmesine sebep olacaktı. Osmanlı ordusunun savaşın başlamasıyla birlikte hemen her cephede mağlubiyetler alması, önemli Balkan şehirlerini bir biri ardına kaybetmesi ve geri çekilmesi ülkenin içine düştüğü zor durumu da gözler önüne seriyordu. İstanbul’un kaybedilme tehlikesi karşısında ateşkes ve barış yapmak zorunda kalan Osmanlı hükümeti bir süre sonra muzaffer Balkan devletlerinin kendi aralarındaki problemlerden kaynaklanan savaşın ikinci aşamasında kaybettiği topraklardan bir kısmını geri almayı başarmıştı. Birinci Dünya Savaşı’nın provası olarak görülen bu çetin süreç bütün dünya tarafından yakından takip edilmişti. Gelişmeler dünya kamuoyuna gazeteler vasıtasıyla aktarılıyordu. Nispeten Avrupa’nın politik oyunlarının dışında kalan Amerikan kamuoyu da bu gelişmelere ilgi göstermişti. Amerikalılar Balkanlardaki bu gelişmeleri nasıl karşılamışlardı? Balkan müttefikleri ve Osmanlı orduları arasındaki savaşları kendi kamuoylarına nasıl aktarmışlardı? Bu çalışmanın amacı bu tür sorular çerçevesinde Amerika’nın en önemli gazetelerinden biri olan New York Times’ın bakış açısıyla Balkan Savaşları’nın ayrıntılı olarak ele alınmasıdır.

Keywords

Balkan Savaşları, Batı Kamuoyu, New York Times, Türk Ordusu, Balkan Milletleri

References

• New York Times, Declares War Is Certain: Representative of a Balkan State Predicts Speedy Outbreak, Oct 6, 1912. New York Times, 75.000 Greeks May Return: That Number of Residents of America Are Affected, Oct 6, 1912. New York Times, Turkey's Foes Ask Much: Paris Questions Whether Turkey Will Yield Enough, Oct 7, 1912. New York Times, War Declaratıons To-Day.: States Said to be in Perfect Accord -- Powers Taking Precautions, Oct 10, 1912. New York Times, Turks Howl For War, Mob of Students Breaks the Windows of the Grand Vizierate, Oct 11, 1912. New York Times, Turkey Recalls Ministers: Bulgaria Has Massed 250,000 Men in Readiness to Invade Thrace, Oct 16, 1912. New York Times, Bulgars Shell Adrianople; Part of City Aflame, Oct 26, 19 New York Times, See Doom Of Turkey Sounded: Europe Staggered by the Balkan States’ Successes, Oct 27, 1912. New York Times, Bulgars Gained Great Victory; Turks Fleeing, Oct 31, 19 New York Times, Bulgars Rush For Final Blow At Turk’s Power, Nov 03, 1912. New York Times, Admitting Crushing Defeat, the Muslim Appeals to Europe to Save Him, Nov 4, 1912. New York Times, To Bar Bulgars From Capital; Powers Discuss Joint Occupation of Constantinople, Nov 11 1912. New York Times, Turks Revolt; War May Go On; Nazım is Slain, Jan 24, 19 New York Times, Sultan Deposed, is London Rumor, Jan 25, 19134. New York Times, Balkan Massacres Cost 35,000 Lives: London Times Correspondent Says, Jan 29, 1913. New York Times, Turkish Cabinet Ready To Give Up: Grand Vizier Is Visiting Foreign Embassies, Feb 17, 1913. New York Times, Will Cede Adrianople: Turkey Wants to Renew Negotiations and Solicits Offices of Russia, Feb 28, 1913.
• New York Times, Fears Scutari Massacre: Correspondent of English Paper Says the Allies Threaten It, Mar 11, 1913. New York Times, Adrianople Carnage Worst Of The War: Allies Lost 30 Per Cent. of the Troops Engaged, Mar 31, 1913. New York Times, Turkey Accepts The Powers’ Terms: Agrees Unreservedly to Peace Plans, Apr 2, 1913. New York Times, Balkan-Turkish Armistice: One Report Says It Is for Three Days, Another for Ten Days, Apr 16, 1913. New York Times, Allies Sign Armistice: All but Montenegro Conclude a Truce with Turkey, Apr 21, 1913. New York Times, Bulgarians Expect New War At Once: Believe Hostilities with Servia Imminent, May 29, 1913. New York Times, Turks Will Oust Bulgars: Army Receives Orders to Advance and Reoccupy Lost Territory, Jul 13, 1913. New York Times, Powers To Coerce Turkey: Take First Steps to Compel Her to Evacuate Adrianople, Aug 8, 1913. New York Times, Yet Another War Threatens Bulgars: Situation with Turkey Critical-Ottomans Occupy, Aug 19, 1913. New York Times, Seeks Only Adrianople: Turkey Willing to Evacuate All Territory West of the Maritza, Aug 20, 1913. New York Times, Bulgars In Fear Of Turks: The Cabinet to Negotiate to Prevent an Invasion, Aug 30, 1913. New York Times, Allies to Fight on Till Scutari Falls, Apr 6, 1913. New York Times, America’s Interest In The Balkan War, Oct 13, 1912. New York Times, Bulgars May Plant Cross on St. Sophia, Nov 4, 1912. New York Times, The Balkan War Scare, Oct 2, 1912. New York Times, The Balkan Forces, Oct 3, 1912. New York Times, How The Crisis Originated, Oct 3, 1912. New York Times, The Turkish Awakening, Oct 7, 1912. New York Times, Turks Still Expect War, Oct 8, 1912. New York Times, The Balkan War, Oct 10, 1912. New York Times, Turkey Is Now Aggressive, Oct 14, 1912. New York Times, Balkan Armies Invade Turkey, Oct 19, 1912. New York Times, Great Battle Due Around Adnianople, Oct 22, 1912. New York Times, Big Servian-Turkish Battle Near, Oct 23, 1912. New York Times, The Peace Of Europe, Oct 28, 1912.
• New York Times, Where Is the Turkish Army?,Oct 29, 1912.
• New York Times, A Bloody War, Oct 31, 1912.
• New York Times, Great Alarm in Stamboul, Nov 04, 1912.
• New York Times, Ferdinan May Be Emperor, Nov 5, 1912.
• New York Times, Turks Losess Enormous, Nov 7, 1912.
• New York Times, Three Bulgar Columns Near Istanbul, Nov 7, 1912.
• New York Times, Sultan Ready to Flee, Nov 7, 1912.
• New York Times, Final Battle May Begin Today, Nov 7, 1912.
• New York Times, Selaniko Falls Turks Massacre, Nov 9, 1912.
• New York Times, Stamboul Hears Cannon All Day, Nov 17, 1912.
• New York Times, Fighting for Peace, Dec 16, 1912.
• New York Times, The First Proposals, Dec 17, 1912.
• New York Times, Adrianople's State Desperate, Jan 10, 1913.
• New York Times, Powers’ Note Warns Turkey, Jan 18, 1913.
• New York Times, Turkey Yields Ending the War, Jan 23, 1913.
• New York Times, Turkish Troops Fight Before Foe, Jan 30, 1913.
• New York Times, Fierce Attack on Adrianople, Feb, 4 1913.
• New York Times, Importance of Gallipoli, Feb 6, 1913.
• New York Times, Is Turkey Yielding?, Feb 25, 1913.
• New York Times, Greeks Take Yanina and 32.000 Troops, Mar 7, 1913.
• New York Times, Powers Fix Terms of Balkan Peace, Mar 23, 1913.
• New York Times, Forts Outside Adrianople Fall, Mar 26, 1913.
• New York Times, Adrianople Won By The Allies, Mar 27, 1913.
• New York Times, The Fall of Adrianople, Mar 27 Mar, 1913.
• New York Times, 60.000 Turks Are Prisoners, Mar 30 Mar, 1913.
• New York Times, Allies Piercing Tchatalja Lines, Mar 30 Mar, 1913.
• New York Times, Allies Rebuff the Powers, Apr 6, 1913.
• New York Times, Powers Give Way Again to Allies, Apr 10, 1913.
• New York Times, Final Desperate Attack, Apr 24, 1913.
• New York Times, Scutari’s Long Defense, Apr 24, 1913.
• New York Times, Scutari’s Fall Alarms Europe, Apr 24, 1913.
• New York Times, Baş Sayfa, Başlıksız, May 02, 1913.
• New York Times, Greco-Bulgarian Friction, May 12, 1913.
• New York Times, Baş Sayfa, Başlıksız, May 19, 1913.
• New York Times, An Intra-Balkan War?, May 28, 1913.
• New York Times, Balkan Foes Sign Treaty of Peace, May 31, 1913.
• New York Times, Bulgars Win First Fight of New War, Jul 1, 1913.
• New York Times, The New Balkan War, Jul 4, 1913.
• New York Times, Turkish Jingoes Elated, Jul 5, 1913.
• New York Times, Hints Turkey May Jump In, Jul 6, 1913.
• New York Times, Turkish Armies March to War, Jul 14, 1913.
• New York Times, Re-Enter Turkey, Jul 15, 1913.
• New York Times, Baş Sayfa, Başlıksız, Jul 21, 1913.
• New York Times, Onrushing Turks Take Adrianople, Jul 21, 1913.
• New York Times, An Error Of The Powers, Jul 22, 1913.
• New York Times, Turkey’s Advance Scares Powers, Jul 23, 1913.
• New York Times, Turks Reported At Philippopolis, Jul 25, 1913.
• New York Times, Turks Massacre Greeks In Thrace, Jul 28, 1913.
• New York Times, Balkans At Peace; Bulgaria Yields, Aug 7, 1913.
• New York Times, Allies Sign Peace; Turkey Obstinate, Aug 11, 1913.
• New York Times, Powers At Odds Over the Balkans, Aug 12, 1913.
• New York Times, Baş Sayfa, Başlıksız, Aug 20, 1913.
• New York Times, Baş sayfa, Başlıksız, Aug 31, 1913.
• New York Times, Turks Get Adrianople, Sep 16, 1913.
• New York Times, Bulgars Again Give Way, Sep 17, 1913.
• New York Times, Bulgar-Turkish Protocol, Sep 18, 1913.
• New York Times, Turkish-Bulgar Alliance?, Sep 23, 1913.
• New York Times, Greeks Refuse the Armistice; Other Sign It, Dec 04, 19 New York Times, Turks Again Belligerent: New Balkan Crisis, Sep 26, 19 New York Times, Young Greeks in America Rush Home to Fight, Oct 19, 19 New York Times, War Declared; Battle Raging in the Balkans, Oct 9, 19 New York Times, Bulgars Take 2 Outer Forts at Adrianople, Oct 24, 19 New York Times, Armistice Till April 23, Apr 18. New York Times, War Suspended After Turkey Sues Peace, Nov 14, 19 ALLEYNE, Mark D., News Revolution:Political and Economic Decisions About Global Information, St. Martin’s Press, New York 1997 AYDIN, Mithat, Balkanlarda İsyan, Osmanlı İngiliz Rekabeti, Yeditepe Yayınevi, İstanbul 2005. BARTLETT, Ellis Ashmead, With The Turks in Thrace, London, 1913. ÇALIK, Ramazan, Alman Kaynaklarına Göre II. Abdülhamit Döneminde Ermeni Olayları, Kültür Bakanlığı Yayınları, Ankara 2000. DAVIS, Edmar, History of The New York Times 1851-1921 New York 19 GIBBS, Philip and Bernard Grant, The Balkan War Adventures of War with Cross and Crescent, Boston Small, Maynard and Company, 1913. HALL, Richard, Balkan Savaşları 1912-1913, I. Dünya Savaşı’nın Provası, Çev. M. Tanju Akad, İstanbul, 2003. HOLT, Michael F., The Rise and Fall of the American Whig Party: Jacksonian Politics and the Onset of the Civil War, Oxford University Press, 19 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_New_York_Times, 11.12.2012. JELAVIC, Barbara, Russia’s Balkan Entanglements 1806-1914, Cambridge University Press, 1991. KOHN, Bobo, Journalistic Fraud How the New York Times Distorts the News and Why It Can No Longer Be Trusted, Nashville Tenneesse WND Books, USA. 2003. LAUZAN, Stephan, Osmanlı’nın Bozgun Yılları-Hastanın Başucunda Kırk Gün Kırk Gece-, çev. Seyfettin Ünlü, Beyan Yayınları, İstanbul. OKUR, Mehmet, “The Times Gazetesi’ne Göre Balkan Savaşları ve İngiltere’nin Politikası”, Türk Dünyası İncelemeleri Dergisi / Journal of Turkish World Studies, XII/2 (Kış 2012), s. 183-197. PAYNE, George Henry, History of American Journalism, New York, London, d. Appleton and Company, 1920. SHRIVASTAVA, K.M., News Agencies: From Pigeon to Internet, New Dawn Press Group, New Delhi, 2007. TODOROVA, Maria, Balkanları Tahayyül Etmek, çev. Dilek Şendil, İstanbul İletişim Yayınları, 2003. WAWRO, Geoffrey, The Franco-Prussian War, The German Conquest of France in 1870-1871, Cambridge University Press, New York 2003.
• YETİŞGİN, Memet, “Batı Basınından Osmanlı Devleti’ne Yaklaşımlar ve Osmanlıların Bu Yaklaşımlara Tepkileri”, Sayı: 28, OTAM, 2010, Sayfa: 119-1