'General information on Persia for any future edition, 1895' [‎56r] (102/211)

given sureties (“ musteemin ”); and that a Kurd, at Kulan village, had laid open the
head of another Kurd by a stone wound, and it was notified liow that information
had been asked of the Kaimakam of that Caza. In the telegraphic reply of the
Hamidiyye Kaimakam it is stated that, upon the declaration of the Mukhtar of
Kanghevar, sheep and other beasts were not carried off by the said Shakir, and that
no person’s head was wounded by a stone in Kulan village.
No. 12 .
Sir W. White to the Marquis of Salisbury.—(Received March 9.)
(Extract.) Constantinople, February 24, 1891.
WITH reference to my despatch to your Lordship of the 31st ultimo,
transmitting Mr. Acting Consul’s Hampson’s despatch of the 16th January respecting
the career of Hussein Agha, Mudir of Patnoss, I have the honour to forward herewith
a copy of a further despatch from Mr. Hampson reporting that Hussein Agha left
Erzeroum for Alashgerd on the 21st ultimo for the purpose of gaining information as to
the number of horsemen available in the Alashgerd district for the proposed Kurdish
cavalry.
I have called the attention of the Grand Vizier to this information from
Erzeroum.
I inclose a copy of a further despatch from Mr. Acting Consul Hampson of the
30th ultimo reporting on the same subject.
It is thought that by organizing the Kurds in a military fashion discipline will he
introduced among them, and a very efficient and loyal cavalry be created, thus
strengthening the defence of the border provinces of his Empire.
There is a great deal that might be a priori objected to the probable success of
such a scheme.
I inclose a Memorandum on the subject, as well as translation of an article in the
Turkish newspaper “ Tarik,” which appeared some time ago.
We do not yet know sufficient about this scheme, which I personally view with
apprehension.
Erom the inclosure from the “ Tarik ” previously mentioned, and from one from
the “ Levant A geographical area corresponding to the region around the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Herald,” your Lordship will observe that a company of this new
Kurdish militia is to do duty at Constantinople, and that seventeen Chieftains of these
tribes have met at Moosh with a view to accompany the detachment coming to the
capital.
Inclosure 1 in No. 12.
Acting Consul Hampson to Sir W. White.
Sir, Erzeroum, January 23, 1891.
WITH reference to my despatch of the 16th January, I have now the honour to
inform your Excellency tliat Hussein Agha of Patnoss left here with about ten
followers for Alashgerd on the 21 st instant. He is sent by the Vali to gain infor
mation as to the numbers of horsemen which can be provided with a view to the
cavalry which it is proposed to enrol by the various small tribes of Kurds in the
Alashgerd district, the Chiefs of these tribes not having been considered of suffidf ,T *t
importance to be summoned here in person.
Hussein is a dangerous person to whom to intrust an official mission of any sort,
and I have already been warned that we may shortly expect to have unpleasant
evidence of his presence in Alashgerd.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES HAMPSON