'General information on Persia for any future edition, 1895' [‎75v] (141/211)

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and protected by the Government in their relations with local capitalists in a manner
as to preclude all chance of obtaining from them any pecuniary assistance, while
receiving no encouragement and assistance in any shape in developing or improving
cultivation, and for the sale of their produce by means of roads or railways. On
the other hand, we have the commercial and trading classes, composed exclusively
of Christians, Jews, and a few Europeans, the education, intellect, and energy
of the country, cooped up in the towns, effectually debarred by insecurity and
lack of protection from engaging in agricultural enterprise of any kind, and obliged to
compete with each other for bare livelihood in commercial pursuits. The road from
Alexandretta to Aleppo, 96 miles, is typical of the country ; besides a few miserable
villages at rare intervals the country is desolate, and four khans for travellers, often
empty, are the only signs of the land being inhabited. Not a garden patch or tree is
visible. And this state of things is the same everywhere, once beyond the precincts of
the towns, throughout the Province of Aleppo.
In Adana everything is changed. Agricultural pursuits are engaged in by all.
The European (chiefly Greek), the native Armenian and Greek elements possess
everywhere large farms, cultivated by them on joint account with the Turkish or Arab
(Nusarieh) peasants, and the desolation visible in the Aleppo Vilayet is replaced by life
and movement everywhere. Every one seems busy, and the roads and streets are full
of traffic. The Moslem and Christian element work together, having but one
interest in common. Hence agricultural progress, and an amount of civilization and
prosperity, unknown in Aleppo, is everywhere apparent.
In the towns many buildings are in progress, while gardens, market and nursery,
and vineyards are on the increase. No doubt the railway has something to do with all
this, but not all. To the pushing Greek element, immigrants from Cyprus, Scio,
Smyrna, &c., most is due. They are the principal merchants and large land-owners,
and form the backbone of the country, introducing machinery and other modern
improvements in cultivation, and which are eagerly appreciated and adopted by the
natives.
The aptitude of the people for instruction is exemplified by the fact, that the
railway is run by two Europeans only (English), viz., the manager and the engineer in
charge of the locomotive department; all the workmen in the machinery and other
workshops being natives, who have been trained and taught by the latter.
Aleppo, April 1891.
No. 43.
Sir W. White to the Marquis of Salisbury.—[Received May 29.)
My Lord, Constantinople, May 22, 1891.
WIIH reference to my despatch of the 13th ultimo, I have the honour
to report to your Lordship that, in accordance with permission granted to them, the
officers ol the “ Hamidie ” Turkish cavalry regiment, belonging to the 4th Army Corps,
left Constantinople on the 18th instant to return to their homes.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. A. WHITE.
No. 44.
Sir IT. White to the Marquis of Salisbury.—(Received May 29.)
Mj V? 1 ’ .• • Constantinople, May 22, 1891. .
JN contmuation of my despatch of the 5th May, I have the honour to
transmit herewith to your Lordship copy of a despatch from Her Majesty’s Acting
consul m Kurdistan, reporting the signature of a “ Mazbata ” bv some Armenian
mha ntants of Alashgerd, to the effect that they had no complaint, which Mr. Hamp-
son suggests may be brought as evidence in favour of the dismissed Kaimakam,
me ey, who continues to receive vigorous support from the Vali of Erzcroum.
i consequently caused further representations to be made to the Grand Vizier,
w o as assured me that there is no question of the Kaimakam’s reinstatement, his
successoi ia\ mg een aheady appointed, and being on his way to take up his post.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. A. WHITE.