'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia' [‎647r] (1295/1386)

31
No. 54.
Mr. Goschen lo Earl Granville.—(Received December 1.)
(Extract.) Constantinople, November 26, 1880.
I HAVE the honour to inclose copies of three despatches from Vice-Consul
Clayton relating to the Kurdish invasion of Persia and to the military movements
which had taken place.
The ostensible causes of the invasion have now become sufficiently clear, but
considerable obscurity seems still to surround two questions, namely, whether Sheikh
Obeidullah is really carrying out some comprehensive and ambitious design, and what
are the feelings of the Ottoman Government with reference to the movement, so far as
they are acquainted with it.
I informed the Ambassador of the steps I had taken with the Ministers to support
the Persian demand for energetic action on the part of the Turks, and of my intention
to press for strong measures as to the punishment of the Sheikh and his sons.
I have since then been again in communication with Assim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. on the subject.
He informs me that the Porte is proposing to send a Commission to investigate the
conduct of the Sheikh and the other Chiefs : that they were rebels rather than brigands,
and that they should be judged. The Council of Ministers had, however, not yet
actually determined on the dispatch of the Commission. I shall see his Excellency
again to-morrow, and press for a further statement as to what the Porte will do,
repeating my arguments as to the responsibility they will incur if they fail to punish,
in an exemplary manner, such subjects of their own as have levied war on a friendly
State.
Inclosure 1 in No. 54.
Captain Clayton to Major Trotter.
Sir, Van, October 19, 1880.
FROM all accounts, it appears that the Kurdish tribes under Sheikh Obeidullah’s
sons are continuing to advance on Persian territory. The Vali showed me yesterday a
telegram he had received from Tehran, saying that the Persian tribes were moving to
join the Sheikh’s forces, that the Persian Government was sending troops, but it was
feared they would not be strong enough to cope with the Kurds. The Turkish
authorities are sending Agents to the Sheikh to try and induce him to desist from his
present course, but the Vali said he did not expect the Sheikh would listen to them.
Orders have also been sent to the Mutessarif and Kaimakams of Hakkiari to prevent
the Kurdish Chiefs of that sandjak from joining the Sheikh, but it is, I think, doubtful
whether they will have power to stop their doing so.
Tuoops are meanwhile being directed hither to the amount of from five to eight
battalions, there being in Van at the present time three.battalions. It is intended that
they should remain here at present in waiting to see how matters turn out, but
provisions are to be sent to Bashkala and Gevver to form magazines in case it may be
necessary to forward troops thither. Moussa Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , the Ferik in command at Mush,
has arrived here, and is to proceed to Hakkiari.
There is no doubt that the Kurdish movement is serious, and there is great danger
lest, if the wild tribes meet with reverses in Persia, they should flee across the frontier
and devastate Hakkiari. I have also heard doubts expressed whether the troops would
act if called upon to do so against a personage held in such high reverence as the
Sheikh.
These affairs occupy the whole attention of the authorities, and prevent proper
care being taken for the general security of the country. Continually fresh reports
arrive of Kurdish plunderings, but no steps are taken with regard to them. Want of
money and men is always assigned as the reason why so little is done. The zaptiehs
are clamouring for pay, and refusing to carry out the orders given to them unless paid,
and money is being asked for from Constantinople, at present, in vain. To provide for
current expenses, the produce, of the tithes is to be sold, and no aid can therefore be
given by the Government this year to the districts where the distress caused by famine
is still great.
On the whole, the country is in a very unsettled condition, but the snow may be