'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia' [‎654v] (1310/1386)

4G
I have the honour to transmit, for your Lordship’s information, copy of
Mr. Abbott’s despatch of the 7th October, and translations of Sheikh Obeidullah’s
letters to the American missionaries and to Abbass Mirza. A precis ol the Sheikh s
letter to the Governor of Oroomiah, together with translations of a Report addressed by
Abbass Mirza to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and of a telegram from the
Sepeh Salar, which was communicated to me this afternoon by the Persian
Government.
I have, &c.
(Signed) RONALD F. THOMSON.
• Inclosure 1 in No. 61.
Consul-General Abbott to Mr. Thomson.
Sir, Oroomiah, October 7, 1880.
I HAVE the honour to report that, arriving at Oroomiah on the 2nd instant, the
first intelligence I received was that a large Kurdish army, under Sheikh Abdul Kader,
one of Sheikh Obeidullah’s sons, had advanced from Ushnoo upon Suldouz, where they
were met by a force of Karapapaks and Mammash Kurds, who, seeing that resistance
was useless, yielded to the Sheikh, and joined his army. The Governor of Suldouz
furnished the Sheikh with the necessary supplies for his army, which then proceeded
to Souj Boulak. The Prince-Governor A Prince of the Royal line who also acted as Governor of a large Iranian province during the Qājār period (1794-1925). of that town, having heard of the approach of
the invaders, had already left for Tabreez. The Kurds, therefore, entered Souj Boulak
without opposition on the part of the inhabitants, who also furnished supplies to Sheikh
Abdul Kader. He then passed on with his army to Miandob. The Christians residing
at Suldouz were not molested by the Kurds, and hitherto they have refrained from ill-
treating the Shiah inhabitants in their path; but it is said that two Nestorians were
plundered and killed by some Kurdish brigands who were following in the wake of the
army.
It was reported here yesterday that several messengers sent on by Abdul Kader
to Miandob to demand supplies and sound the inhabitants were slain by the latter,
who refused even to listen to their message; and that the Sheikh, incensed at this,
hurrried on with his army to Miandob, sacked the town and massacred the inhabitants.
On the other hand, a rumour prevailed that Suleiman Khan Afshar, with a force of
Tchardowlehs, had given battle to the Kurds at Miandob, that both-sides had sustained
heavy losses, but that Abdul Kader had eventually fallen back with his army upon
Souj Boulak.
A Protestant Nestorian, recently arrived here from Gawar, reports that there is a
large gathering of Kurdish Chiefs and tribes in that district. They are flocking to
Sheikh Obeidullah’s standard from all parts of Kurdistan, the Sheikh having summoned
them through one of his principal officers, who is distributing letters broadcast for that
purpose.
Subsequent to the capture of Souj Boulak, the Castle of Lahijan surrendered to
the Kurds, who spiked the guns and took, the Persian garrison of 200 men prisoners.
It is reported that Sheikh Obeidullah’s plan is to attack Persia with three separate
armies. The first army will be directed upon Khoi and Selmas, the second upon
Merghever and Oroomiah, the third upon Souj Boulak and Tabreez.
Oroomiah is at present menaced by a Kurdish army, said to number 1,000 men,
under Sheikh Sadik, a son of Sheikh Obeidullah. This force has taken up its position
at Nerghi, on the extremity of the Plain of Merghever, within 21 miles of this town.
There is nothing to prevent Sheikh Sadik marching upon and occuping Oroomiah.
The forces at the disposal of the Ikbal-ed-Dowleh are nominally two regiments, but they
are dispersed about the district, and were Oroomiah suddenly surprised by the Kurds,
the Governor could scarcely make a resistance. He would not .be able to collect together
more than 700 men, and Oroomiah would doubtless share the fate of Souj Boulak.
I have had an interview with the Ikbal-ed-Dowleh, who is encamped on the
outskirts of the town. The Veli Ahd has doubtless communicated to the Shah this serious
position of affairs, by which the safety of his seat of Government is threatened; for
unless the Persian Government be prepared to bring proper forces into the field to
oppose the Kurdish army at Miandob, Sheikh Abdul Kader will continue to march in
the direction of Tabreez.
I was informed yesterday that the Itimad-es-Saltaneh was on his way to Oroomiah