Karekin Pastermadjian - Deputy From Erzurum 1908-1912

Deputy From Erzurum 1908-1912

The situation in the Caucasus was almost come to normal. Pastermadjian had been able to create for himself a life fairly prosperous financially. He secured the right to develop a copper mine, and working towards a partnership with a large company. His business required that he should stay in the Caucasus to continue his successful enterprise. Young Turk Revolution came in 1908.

The Armenians in Erzeroum, as well as the ARF, telegraphed to Bastermadjian and asked him to become their candidate in the coming elections for Representative to the Ottoman Parliament. He became a member of the Ottoman parliament part from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation deputies.

After the end of the Balkan Wars, issues affecting the Armenians dominated mainstream politics during which Armen Karo was a deputy from Erzurum. During his four years in Constantinople (Istanbul) as a deputy, he worked for the railroad bill which was known to the public as Chester's bill. Its main object was to build railroads as soon as possible in those vilayets which were considered to be Russia's future possessions. For that reason neither France nor Germany wished to undertake it, lest they should arouse the enmity of Russia. Another fundamental object was to build those lines with American capital, which would make it possible to counteract the Russo-Franco-German policies and financial intrigues. But in spite of all efforts unable to overcome the German, opposition in Constantinople, although, as the outcome of the struggle in connection with that bill, two ministers of public works were forced to resign their post.

Talaat on behalf of the "Committee of Union and Progress", offered the portfolio of public works, refused these proposals, for the simple reason that he did not wish to compromise in any way with the leaders of the government.

He had taken too active a part in 1913 in the conferences held for the consideration of the Armenian reforms, and especially because, while parliamentary elections were going on during April, 1914, he was in Paris and Holland, as the delegate of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, to meet the inspectors general who were invited to carry out the reforms.