'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia' [‎652v] (1306/1386)

42
speaking of the matter to third parties, but respecting the execution of which they
appear unable to decide.
I have, &c.
(Signed) RONALD F. THOMSON.
No. GO.
Mr. Thomson to Earl Granville.—(Received December 9.)
My Lord, Tehran, October 29, 1880.
I HAVE the honour to inclose translation of a Circular addressed by the Minister
for Foreign Affairs to the foreign Legations respecting the Kurdish outbreak in
Azerbaijan, and also precis of a memorandum, and a telegram, communicated to me
by Mirza Said Khan respecting the measures taken to suppress the movement. I
further have the honour to inclose translations of two letters from the Moonshee of
the British Consulate-General at Tabreez, giving an account of the ravages committed
by the Kurds after leaving Souj Boulak, and stating that a large force of Kurds had
appeared near Oroomiah.
I have, &c.
(Signed) RONALD F. THOMSON.
Inclosure 1 in No. 60.
Letter from Mirza Said Khan.
(Translation.) October 11, 1880.
AS their Excellencies the Representatives of the foreign Powers at the Court of
Persia have become aware, (some) savage and uncivilized Kurds, such as Abd-el-Kader
and Sadeek, the sons of Sheikh Obeidullah, and Hamza Agha, of Mankoor, who is
notorious for his previous evil deeds, accompanied by bad characters as wicked as
themselves, have become guilty of acts of aggression such as are natural to them, on
the (Turco-) Persian frontier and at Souj Boulak and Maragha.
The Persian Government, in accordance with its duties for the protection of the
inland provinces, as well as its frontiers, and for securing the safety of man in
general, has bound itself to put an end to these mischievous performances by taking
military and other precautions (to that end). Besides sending such infantry, cavalry,
and artillery as were to be found at Tabreez and its neighbourhood, in order to stamp
out any symptoms of marauding intentions on the part of these people, who are simply
bent on pillage and plunder; and the probabilities are that this force is quite sufficient,
yet lest—which God forbid—this object be not fulfilled in the manner which this
Government sincerely desires, a complete - military camp of infantry, cavalry, and
artillery has been organized under the orders and command of His Royal Highness
the Hishmet-ed-dowleh (who is furnished), with complete orders and' instructions.
Without hesitation or delay he is to betake himself with all speed to the (troubled)
districts (where he will), take the necessary steps for the tranquillity of the frontier;
and, as is incumbent on every Government, also for the peace of the inhabitants of
the (invaded) districts; and in carrying out the august commands of his Royal Master
he is to obliterate any signs of these Kurds.
According to the manner and usage among officials of friendly Powers who
always communicate to each other all items of news and (important) occurrences, the
Ministry foi Foreign Affairs announces to your Excellency, as the Representative of
a friendly Power, and deems it necessary to communicate to you, that, according to
secret information received by the Persian Ministers—some people having no know
ledge ol the habits ol savage clans and tribes, and being ignorant of their natural
disposition to rapine and plunder—have thought that this concentration of the Kurds
is a source of injury to the state oi this nation—it would seem that there arc no
grounds foi suspicions such as are entertained by the above-referred-to people, as the
(cause of the) movement is confined to the habitual love of plunder of these Kurds,
such as they have often given vent to, and for which they have been thoroughly
punished. ° "
But non, by taking speedy measures, by the dispatch of troops, and by energetic