by Dr. Lasha Bakradze: Grigol Robakidze, one of the respected Georgian authors of the time, had this to say about Georgia’s second largest city in 1918: “the philistinism of Kutaisi is truly tragic (and that it is perhaps a gruesome symbol of all present-day Georgia)”. He was writing in the …
Read More »
(Ertoba N114, 5 June, 1918) Member of the peace negotiations delegation Gr. Rtskhiladze has arrived from Batumi, to notify the government of the conditions of peace accord concluded between the Republic of Georgia and the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire takes possession of all of Akhaklakali district and all Akhaltsikhe …
Read More »
(Ertoba, N110, 31 May 1918) At 1 o’clock in the afternoon on 29 May, Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Georgia Kirion II, accompanied by Bishop David and the clergy, served the Holy Mass at the Sioni Cathedral in Tbilisi, in gratitude to declaration of Georgia’s independence. After the Mass, …
Read More »
(Ertoba N 110, 31 May 1918) President of the Government, Noe Ramishvili reported to the Georgian National Council on 29 May: “By adopting an Act of Georgia’s independence, the National Council has put a great responsibility on the Government’s shoulders. It had to notify all states’ governments of this Act, …
Read More »
(Ertoba N108, 29 May, 1918) In the evening of 26 May, in Batumi, representatives of the Ottoman delegation have handed the ultimatum to the Trans-Caucasus delegation, demanding from them to cede the railway for transportation of the Ottoman troops to Persia, as well as to cede two Georgian districts – …
Read More »
The Georgian National Council, during its plenary sitting of May 26, 1918, declared as follows: For many centuries Georgia existed as a free and independent State. At the end of the eighteenth century, imperiled by its enemies from all sides, Georgia voluntarily allied herself with Russia, with the stipulation that …
Read More »
Even on the eve of Georgia pronouncing its independence, country’s main political parties continue heated debate on the matter. As we have reported, Tbilisi is threatened by the advancing Ottoman army at the time, with some Azerbaijani residents welcoming their arrival. The “Sakartvelo” (Georgia) newspaper of the National Democratic Party …
Read More »
(Tbilisi, 24 May 1918, “Ertoba” N 104 and N 102) Akaki Chkhenkeli, [Chairman of the Trans-Caucasus Government and Foreign Minister] reports from Batumi, that the Ottomans have demanded the right of military passage through Trans-Caucasus railway until the end of war [World War I] and the conclusion of general truce. …
Read More »
“Such is our view: The anarchy can only be quelled by vanquishing its causes…Truce first, then the reforms and through reforms – eradication of anarchy – such shall be our only path” writes “Ertoba” (Unity), the daily published by the Social Democratic Party. Anarchy has put deep roots in our …
Read More »
(Tbilisi, May 22, 1918, “Ertoba”) Education Commissariat of Transcaucasus drafted the law to abolish the teaching of the Holy Scripture in the higher, secondary and primary education establishments of Transcaucasus, irrespective of them being state, public or private. The draft is being reviewed by the Seim (Parliament). According to the …
Read More »
(Ertoba N102, 22 May 1918. Describes events of 15-17 May) Government of Transcaucasia informs: Several weeks ago, Bolsheviks have captured the district of Sokhumi together with the city of Sokhumi. As it is common to their mode of governance, they have caused the breakdown of normal life and disorganization everywhere, …
Read More »
On 5 April 1918, the government troops headed by Valiko Jugheli have clashed with rebels and by 6 April have restored order in hamlets of Bandza and Old Senaki (in Western Georgia, historical Samegrelo province), “Ertoba” (Unity) daily writes. According to the reports the riot has started on 29 March. …
Read More »
The Trans-Caucasus government has ruled to provide 30 thousand Roubles from its 10 million fund for the upkeep of the control stations of the Indo-European telegraph, writes “Ertoba” (Unity) daily on 11 May 1918. Construction of the telegraph line connecting London to India has commenced in 1850, with first messages …
Read More »