In this connection I have the honor to report that since my last
communication I have had an interview with the Sadr Azem. I represented
to him in strong terms the exposed condition of my countrymen in that
quarter of Persia; stated my anxiety concerning them, and that my
Government would surely expect His Majesty’s Government to be prepared
to afford them ample protection. His highness responded very cordially
to my communication, saying that he was giving the subject constant
thought and attention; that he was in daily telegraphic communication
with the authorities of the Azerbaijan Province; that he had dispatched
a regiment of soldiers to Khoi, and that he believed the Government was
prepared for any emergency that might arise in that province, but
requested me to give him the benefit of any information which I might
receive. His highness added that the Kurds were most troublesome and
undesirable neighbors as well as subjects, being nothing better than
robbers and murderers, and that the Sultan was much to be blamed for
allowing them to have arms.
[Inclosure in No. 220, Dip.
Ser.]
Letter from ——— ———.
Dear ———: Yours and Mr. McDonald’s
telegrams came to me here yesterday. I am afraid I have been
misunderstood in the report I gave of affairs along the border. The
condition is as bad as it can be just across the border, from Alesk
and Kotur on to Van. As yet nothing serious has happened in
Persia.
A letter dated November 23, from Dr. Kimball, in Van, reports all the
country about them in the hands of the Kurds, with the exception of
three large villages near the city; 200 Armenian villages destroyed,
500,00 refugees homeless, penniless, and naked nearly. The city is
full of these refugees, and all business is at a stand. They could
not find cash for a £10 note even. They feared a massacre any
moment, although the missionaries themselves hardly feared for their
own lives. In Bitlis the missionaries could not go out of their
houses. In a recent destruction of Armenian and Nestorian villages
near Katur, the Shekoik Kurds of Persia (you know they live in
Baradost and Somai, between Salmos and back of Ganlas and the
villages of Angel), joined with the Turkish Kurds in carrying away
the plunder. They have brought large quantities of sheep, cattle,
and other property over here. In Ganlan these same Kurds attack the
villages almost any night. The men of the village are out every
night on guard. A few nights ago, as they chased quite a large
party, they came upon the Kalunyee people, with their donkeys and
bags, hanging about to have their share of the spoils. In Salmos the
upper villages are in constant fear, too. These Shekoik Kurds have
just brought 1,500 sheep from the Nestorian villages in Albak.
Albak, you know, is over the border in Turkey. The Persians along
our border are talking very badly and threatening the Christians
despoliation and destruction. Their excuse is that the Armenians in
Turkey have killed a number of Kurds. The Shiahs, too, are
constantly talking in an insolent, threatening sort of way, and our
Nestorians are usually very careful to avoid disputes and to give no
excuse for quarrels. In a recent quarrel between the custom-house
officials and the merchants, the Christians were advised by the
sar-perast (Christian headman) to keep out of the bazars. For five
days the bazars were closed and all the merchants and their
sympathizers were assembled in one of the mosques, but that has
passed without serious result. There was an altercation in the
bazars the other day between a Russian Armenian and a Moslem, which
very soon brought up a crowd, and the Armenians had to take refuge
in the caravanserai, which they held for some days with difficulty.
The Mullahs took him (the Armenian) away from the sar-perast who was
trying to protect him, and the ecclesiastics are doing about what
they like now, e. g., recently the chief magistrate has taken men
away from the prisons of the civil officers.
I do not understand your telegram that it seems best to you that Mr.
——— go to Teheran chapar (by post).
I mention the above facts simply to show how the wind blows. We are
not and have not been in any danger that I know of. The only thing
is that if next spring the Turkish troubles are not quieted we shall
look for great disturbances here.
I am sorry to have to write so hurriedly, but the horses are at the
door. Mr. ——— and I are just going out to a village.
Very sincerely, yours,
——— ———.
