Today in History – 8/9 August

Tekalif-i Milliye orders

After being named commander in chief, Mustafa Kemal Pasha’s first endeavor was to announce the “Tekalif-i Milliye” (National Obligations) orders to have the public meet the needs of the army. Comprised of ten articles and announced on August 7-8, 1921, these obligations declared a “mobilization of war” in Turkey , which had a significant impact on the course of the war.

According to Tekalif-i Milliye orders, a national tax commission would be established in every county; the public would donate the guns and ammunition at hand to the army, and each family would pay for a soldier’s outfitting. Forty percent of all provisions, clothes, and machinery would be confiscated, twenty percent of mounts and vehicles would be allocated to the use of soldiers, and all unclaimed property would be given to the army as well. Furthermore, professionals such as ironsmiths, casters, blacksmiths, tailors, and carpenters would work for the army and the public would assist in the transportation of soldiers. The state would later pay back the cost of all this to their rightful owners.

Tekalif-i Milliye orders were to be executed by the Tekalif-i Milliye commissions in counties. If commission members or officers were to abuse their post or show negligence, they would be prosecuted for treason.