Oscar S. Heizer

[3] During the Armenian Genocide, Heizer was the Consul General of Trabzon, a city on the coast of the Black Sea.

[5][6] Heizer also uncovered the direct link between the central government in Constantinople and a local Committee of Union and Progress functionary[7] Nail Bey.

[9] Heizer reported how Armenians were being thrown overboard in boats: "This plan did not suit Nail Bey ...

"[10][11][12][13] Heizer also states that a group of members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation were placed on a boat and drowned.

[14] According to the report of Oscar Heizer written to ambassador Henry Morgenthau, the first convoy of deportees was put on the road on July 1, 1915.

[15] Initially, the authorities had declared that Catholics and Protestants, as well as incapacitated old people, children, and pregnant women, would be "maintained".

[6] He described the situation of the Armenians when the deportations began:[16] It is impossible to convey an idea of the consternation and despair the publication os this proclamation has produced upon the people.

I have seen strong, proud, wealthy men weep like children while they told me that they had given their boys and girls to Persian and Turkish neighbors.

Heizer describes the visit as follows:[17] Arrangements were immediately made and I left Trebizond August 12th on horseback accompanied by cavass (team leader) Ahmed and a caterdjia (horse-man) with my traveling outfit, also two mounted gendarmes furnished by Governor General.

I reached Erzerum about midnight August 17th and was allowed to enter the city gate only after communicating with the Commandant.

Heizer describes what he witnessed as follows:[2] Nearly two months ago a party of fifty refugees came in, of these thirty-seven were men, the rest women and children and their story was most interesting.