'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia' [‎660v] (1322/1386)

58
No. 71.
Mr. Plunkett to Earl Granville.—(Received December 20.)
My Lord, St. Petersburgh, December 11, 1880.
I INQUIRED of M. de Giers, in the course of conversation yesterday, what
was his latest news from Kurdistan.
His Excellency replied that he had had none lately, but that he believed the
rebellion was being put down.
I said that, in this case, I presumed the further concentration of Russian
forces on the Persian frontier would not be considered necessary. To this M. de Giers
merely replied that too much importance had been attached to the couple of regiments
which Russia had thought right to move to Nakchevan.
I have, &c.
(Signed) F. R. PLUNKETT.
No. 72.
Captain Clayton to Major Trotter.—(Received at the Foreign Office, December 22.)
Sir, Van, November 9, 1880.
I TELEGRAPHED to the Ambassador on the 6th instant that Sheikh Obeydullah
had taken Urumiah, and again on the 7th instant that the Persian troops had driven
him out again. To-day Samih Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. told me that the Sheikh bad never actually been
in Urumiah, though he was within half-an-hour of the city, and that his retreat was
due not to the advance of the Persian troops but to the request urged and advice
given by the Turkish Government. Opinions may differ as to what motive principally
influenced the Sheikh ; probably the approach of the Persians and the uncertain
character of his own levies made the Sheikh willing to listen to the friendly counsel
of the Turkish authorities. Abdul Kader is also reported to be in retreat, and it was
rumoured here yesterday that he had been killed, but this rumour is as yet uncon
firmed. On the whole, however, it looks as if the Kurdish movement was beginning
to collapse.
As regards the general state of things in this vilayet, fresh reports arc continually
coming in of Kurdish plunderings, and the exodus from Hakkiari still goes on. Great
complaints also continue to be made of the conduct of troops on the march, but
Samih Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. assured me again to-day that he was doing all he possibly could to put a
stop to it. He also said that the villagers bring a part of the ill-treatment upon them
selves by the peevishness and ill-humour they show to the troops and their unwilling
ness to do anything for them. This, what I may call somewhat ill-conditioned conduct
is, I have no doubt, sometimes shown, but it is to a considerable extent the result of
former ill-treatment, and is also partly due to the impoverished condition of many of
the villages.
I have, &c.
(Signed) EMILTUS CLAYTON.
No. 73.
Sir H. Elliot to Earl Granville.—(Received December 27.)
My Lord, Vienna, December' 23, 1880.
AT the request of the Persian Minister, Baron Hay merle has promised to support
a request to the Porte that some of the Kurdish Chiefs who had been engaged in the
recent disturbances should be internes and prevented from creating fresh troubles.
I have, &c.
(Signed) HENRY ELLIOT.