"معلومات عامة عن بلاد فارس لأي طبعة مستقبلية، ١٨٩٥" [و‎‎٩‎٠] (٢١١/١٧٠)

post, he still grievously oppresses the people, exacting all sorts of forcible contri
butions from them.
As an instance of one of his methods of procedure I may quote the following
case:—
About two months ago, Ahmed persuaded some Kurds to bring a charge of
murder against eleven Armenians of Hasdur. The murder alleged was that of a
Kurd, who was killed while on a pillaging expedition about twelve years ago. The
eleven Armenians were, however, thrown into prison, from which they were only
released on payment of some 20 liras, of which Ahmed received 4, the Cadi 6, the Juge
d’Instruction 4, and other officials the remaining 6. In addition to this, before
being released, they had to pay 5 liras to their Kurdish accusers, and to sign a bond
for another 30, which the Kurds have now brought to the Tribunal here and had
confirmed.
A German traveller, who recently passed through here from Van, told me that,
throughout Alashgerd, he heard continual complaints of Ahmed Pasha; and that the
failure to protect the villagers against his extortions and against Kurdish outrages
appeared to be the only serious grievance against the Government.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES S. HAMPSON.
No. 90.
The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir W. White.
Sir, Foreign Office, December 2, 1891.
I HAVE received your Excellency’s despatch of the 19th ultimo, inclosing
a Report from Her Majesty’s Acting Consul at Erzeroum on the subject of outrages
by Kurds in the neighbourhood of that town.
You should call the attention of the Ottoman Government to the com
plaints against Ahmed Pasha, formerly Kaimakam in Alashgerd, referred to by
Mr. Hampson.
I am, &c.
(Signed) SALISBURY.
No. 91.
Sir W. White to the Marquis of Salisbury.—(Received December 11.)
My Lord, Constantinople, December 7, 1891.
I HAVE the honour to forward to your Lordship herewith copy of a despatch
which I have received from Her Majesty’s Acting Consul at Erzeroum, respecting the
improvement in the political condition of that vilayet and at Van.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. A. WHITE.
Inclosure 1 in No. 91.
Acting Consul Hampson to Sir W. White.
Sir, Erzeroum, November 28, 1891.
I HA VE the honour to inclose copy in duplicate of a despatch received from
Vice-Consul Levey respecting the condition of the Van and Bitlis Wlayets.
The general improvement reported by Mr. Levey corresponds with that which has
been noticeable in the Erzeroum district, on which I had the honour to make some
remarks to your Excellency in my despatches of the 12th September and 10th October.
The Armenian sedition in Arabkir, to which Mr. Levey refers, was fully reported
in my despatch of the 10th October and its inclosure.
All seems quiet now in that direction, and now that heavy falls of snow have put
an end to circulation throughout the country, it may be expected that all will remain
quiet for several months, with good reason to hope that the improvement in the
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