'General information on Persia for any future edition, 1895' [‎77v] (145/211)

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No. 49.
Acting Consul Hampson to Sir W. White .—{Received at the Foreign Office, June 1*2.)
g^. Erzeroum, May 30, 1891.
WITH reference to my despatch of the 2nd May, I have now the honour to
inform your Excellency that I learn from Acting Vice-Consul Boyajian that there
is great uneasiness at present existing in the Kharput A ilayet.
As usual in the summer season, Mr. Boyajian will shortly proceed to Kharput
himself, when he will he able to report on the state of that district.
Here, owing to the energy and justice of our Yali, the uneasiness is, I hope,
decreasing, though some weeks of quietness are still necessary in order to at all restore
confidence. Dangerous elements of irritation on the side of the Moslem population
and of panic and discontent on that of the Christians are still evident; and with such
elements, very little is required to produce an explosion.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES S. HAMPSON.
No. 50.
Acting Consul Hampson to Sir W. White.—(Received at the Foreign Office, June 26.)
Erzeroum, June 6, 1891.
I HAVE the honour to forward to your Excellency copy of a despatch from
Vice-Consul Devey.
The absurd stories which he now contradicts were very prevalent here about two
months ago, but I did not consider them worth mentioning to your Excellency.
Stories equally absurd are constantly spread by the Armenians in the bazaar in the
most authoritative manner, and, unfortunately, are accepted as true by a large
majority.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES S. HAMPSON.
Inclosure in No. 50.
Vice-Consul Devey to Acting Consul Hampson.
Sir, Van, May 25 1891.
AN Armenian revolutionary Gazette, the “ Henchag,” published in London,
makes in its issue for last month statements, the substance of which is as follows:—
“ Erom the districts disquieting and distressing news arrives anew, among which
events at Van occupy a prominent place. According to information derived from
divers trustworthy sources, occurrences there are becoming more and more serious.
Three weeks ago the Vali here (i.e., at Van) was having Armenian houses searched for
the seizure of arms. These proceedings greatly incensed our compatriots, who
resolved to resist by force. Thereupon the British Consul addressed the Vali, urging
him to rescind the orders given, but the Vali proved obdurate, and, during the
conversation, a dispute arose, in which the angry Governor twice struck the Consul,
and the latter retaliated. The Consul withdrew in extreme indignation, and forthwith
hauling down the flag of the Consulate telegraphed the state of the case to London
and to Constantinople. These incidents yet further provoked the Armenians of Van,
and they went in a great crowd to the Russian Consulate with an Address, desiring to
join the Orthodox Church. Erom other sources we learn that, during the above
occurrences, blood was freely shed, and eighty or ninety persons killed. In short, the
state of affairs at A an is extremely serious; there is discord and complaint and change
of faith. The Sultan, learning of these troubles at Van, the reverse of his hopes, was
greatly concerned, and, in lack of all resources, addressed himself to our Patriarchate.
With a view to pacification, for, indeed, numerous complaints have reached the
Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Council decided to send to Van the Yartabed Ayvazian
Hovsep as icar, but this magnate did not assent. Possibly he has not forgotten the
sting of the blow in Magnesia.”