'General information on Persia for any future edition, 1895' [‎82r] (154/211)

their own position and influence, and partly shielded by the religious protection of the
“Khalifa” Fehmi (a Sheikh related to Sheikh Oheydullah, confined after the latter’s
revolt in 1880 to Mukus Caza, and pensioned, I believe), and partly left to their own
devices by representations of the Van Government, too timid or too apathetic to
interfere, they have committed so many shameful deeds that the sufferers have begun
to give up all hope of justice or protection. All these things have been chronicled by
Captain Clayton in confidential Exports ten years ago. Hence last summer also four
or five Armenians of Mukus came to Van to declare they must either become Moslem
or could no longer exist in their homes, hut they were pacified. If this last murder
he not promptly avenged, a had effect will be produced upon the Armenians, so
exceptional were the circumstances, and so much viciousness and defiance of all law
and authority displayed in its committal. It is full time the Government set to work
to crush the noxious influence of this family; Sheiko Bey is the most dangerous, as
his secret villanies and participation therein are cloaked, hut Suleiman Bey is the
most brutal and violent openly. Abdal Bey, some fifteen or twenty years ago, suffered
six years’ imprisonment at Van for the murder of an Armenian named Neto.
In Arjish Caza one or two village quarrels, resulting fatally, took place recently,
hut there is nothing of particular importance save the case of Kuli Khan, of
Hasanavdor village, in Zilan-Dereh. So far as I can understand, this Bey was to
receive a sum of money from a Kurd of the neighbouring village, Chakir Bey, and,
in default of payment, three or four months ago seized some of the latter’s cattle.
His adversary retaliated with similar theft. Kuli Khan then went to Chakir Bey, and
in disputing slew his man, who was of some dignity as belonging to the “ korun, and
a brother of Kuli Khan’s killed another Kurd, after which, Kuli Khan having with-
drawn and placed himself under the protection of Mirza Aga (now Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ), of the
Adiamanli tribe, the sufferers and their friends took advantage of his absence to loot
much property of his, therein killing one of his retainers also. Kuli Khan has some
thirtv men and horses with him, and it is feared he may intend fresh mischief when
ever the Vali shall have left the neighbourhood of Arjish, but, as he cannot return to
his village, where he has much property, 1 uli Khan is rather anxious to become
reconciled with his foes rather than to go on living the life of an outlaw.
In several cases of theft of oxen, justice has been done and the beasts restored to
their owners.
In Van town the lately arrived Murakhas Yekil is proceeding with the elections
for his Councils, lay and spiritual, and, from all I hear, there is much more general
content and hope of quiet than was the case six or twelve months <xgo.
I have, &c.
(Signed) GEOBGE POLLAED DEVEY.
No. 63.
Vice-Consul Devey to Acting Consul Hampson. —{Received at the Foreign Office,
August 21.)
* Van, July 20, 1891.
I HAVE the honour to report a sad occurrence which, as may be conceiv ed, has
CaUS Twelve days ago two foot zaptiehs were bringing on an Armenian arrested at
Bashkaleh, named Ghazar; and whilst taking some refreshment at a spring on the
hills 8 miles distant from the town were approached m a friendly manner by six
Armenians apparently travellers, who treacherously shot them and rescued Ghazar
carrying off the zaptiehs’ weapons and all papers, &c., relating to the prisoner with
them. One zaptieh is just dead, and his companion seriously wounded.
It is not improbable that the rescue parly either then or previously betook them
selves to Varak Monastery just opposite, where a large number of^ Armenians are in
the habit of making a short sojourn during summer ; and since they .ia\ c been east si D
of and possibly have dispersed and are secreted by their fellow-nationalists, or made
lhC \'SK;*~»“ A»cS. have M » k ~t M «*•
been seized as suspected of participation, and who merely for purposes ol nituio!,u
1011 The Armenian prisoner, whose flight has been brought about, is Ghazar, one of
the two who got away at the moment of the recapture of Aghvo with Karakul and Ins
two abettors last year. He was seized at a guard station near Bashkaleh, under very