The machinery of carrying out this diabolical scheme was put to work on April 24 by the wholesale arrest and imprisonment of all prominent and wellknown leaders in Armenian communities. In this first batch of catch were some 1.000 Armenians. including clergymen of all ranks. intellectuals. businessmen. and merchants. artisans of many trades. and men in other professions. In a matter of a few days. even before these unfortunates were aware of what was happening. they all were bundled off. in separate groups and under heavy guards. for deportation to destinations unknown to them. Soon they were murdered at places designated by the government in Constantinople. By this time. early in May. other Armenians of lesser prominence were dealt with in a similar manner. And before long Armenian communities were deprived of their leaders in all walks of life. This process of weeding out the ablebodied males from these communities continued for a while until there remained none except those lucky few whom the government regarded as indispensable experts and specialists. such as engineers. physicians. and so forth. Then began the wholesale deportation of Armenians from their homes to the south. to the deserts of Syria. Iraq. and beyond. At the same time. beginning in June. massacres also were ordered. and in many areas these were carried out against all Armenians. irrespective of age and sex.
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deportation