'General information on Persia for any future edition, 1895' [‎78r] (146/211)

k
59
It would have been needless to observe that the above assertions are in part gross
misrepresentations, and as to the rest absolutely false and groundless; but that I
believe some such reports have been circulated in Persia, and have gained credence
among Armenians there. Her Majesty's Consul-General at Tabreez might be
consulted as to the advisability of having them refuted.
The affairs referred to in the above extract from the “ Ilenchag” have been fully
described in letters addressed to the Kurdistan Consulate between December and
March last. But I may be allowed to state that upon no occasion has there been any
display of anger or irritation between his Excellency the Yali and myself, nor has any
blood been shed at Van; and, lastly, party strife among the Armenians appears to be,
if anything, abating, whilst no Armenian has abandoned his creed, or is likely
to do so.
I have, &c.
(Signed) GEOEGE POLLARD DEVEY.
No. 51.
Vice-Consul Devey to Acting Consul Hampson.—(Received at the Foreign Office, June 26.,'
Sir, Van, May 30, 1891.
A EATAL affray occurred a week ago between tobacco contrabandists and
Circassian surveillants of the Public Debt Administration at the north-east end of the
lake near Bergri.
A guard had been set to seize an expected consignment of contraband salt, and
Kolat Bey, with companions not far off, was watching the road by night, when a train
of eight Kurds from Molazgerd, mounted, and mostly (if not all) armed with Burdan
rifles, descended from the hills with six laden horses. On being challenged by the
Circassian, a Kurd at once attacked him with a sword, and was shot dead; two more
Kurds were killed before Kolat Bey fell, mortally wounded. The Kurds then fled,
leaving a large quantity of tobacco in the hands of the Government agents. It is said
that a Kurdish woman was wounded and a child killed during the fight in the dark,
and there are three or four men wounded.
I notice this combat as being one of the most serious in this neighbourhood for
many years past. The only other remark I have to offer is, that the few Circassians
settled on the north side of the lake merit their local reputation for hardihood and
courage, and are ready to fight and be killed in the execution of their duty, whether
employed as gendarmes or agents of the different Customs Departments. But herein
it is not meant to convey that their fellows as a general rule are lacking in a strong
sense of duty and in devotion.
It is a wise and proper regulation which prohibits “ Koljis ” from being the first
to fire under circumstances such as the above, and a searching inquiry is always held
to ascertain that this has been the case.
Kolat Bey was badly wounded a few years ago in a conflict with Laz contra
bandists near Erzeroum.
I have, &c.
(Signed) GEORGE POLLARD DEVEY.
No. 52.
Acting Consul Hampson to Sir W. White.—(Received at the Foreign Office, June 26.)
gj r Erzeroum, June 10,1891.
IT is with regret that I have to bring to your Excellency’s notice several fresh
cases of murderous attacks and outrages on Armenians in this neighbourhood.
On Monday morning, the 8th June, the body of a Protestant Armenian was
brought into the town. He was found shot through the heart on the Kars road,
within a mile of the Kars Gate of Erzeroum. It appears that he was on his way here
from Khinis. No clue to the murderer, or to the reason of the murder, have yet
been obtained. The Vali has promised to make the strictest investigation into the
matter.
Four workmen belonging to the service of the Public Debt were sent a week ago
on business to a spot within two hours of the town. Three of them were Christians,
[170] I 2
i