'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia' [‎651r] (1303/1386)

39
of the citizens and Mollahs of Oroomiah were coming to a garden at Siaoush, near
his camp, together with members from the foreign communities, to hold a meeting
regarding the surrender of the city. The Sheikh requested me and the American
missionaries to attend this meeting.
In a few minutes Khalifeh Syed Mohammed (the Sheikh’s brother-in-law),
several Kurdish officers, and the Metropolitan of Nochea came to the College to state
that the citizens and Mollahs had proposed the above arrangement, that the Ikbal-ed-
Dowleh would withdraw with his army outside the walls, and that the meeting was
fixed for 2 P.M. We waited till 3 p.m., but as the deputation did not leave the city,
the Sheikh’s messenger left for the Kurdish camp.
At this interview, Khalef Seyed Mohammed represented to me that the Sheikh,
unable to bear any longer the exactions of the Persian Government, who did nothing
to repress the incessant depredations of the Herki and Shekkak tribes and had
grievously maltreated the Kurds, through the oppressive conduct of the ex-Prince
Governor of Oroomiah, had resolved to strike a blow for the independence of
Kurdistan, and to form it into a separate Principality. The Sheikh would undertake
to repress brigandage on the part of the various tribes, who had been a continual
thorn in the side of Turkey and Persia, both of those Powers being unable to check
them; to restore order within the two borders, to place Christians and Mussulmans
on a footing of equality, to favour education, and allow churches and schools to be
built. All the Sheikh wanted was the moral support of the European Powers, espe
cially of England, for whom he had the greatest friendship and regard. The Sheikh
asked to be put on his trial. If he failed to organize Kurdistan, and to establish there
a stable Government, then he was prepared to be judged by the Tribunal of Europe,
and to abide by the consequences.
I replied to the Khalifeh that I was not in a position to state in what light
England or the other Powers would view the Sheikh’s project. I could, however,
assure him that, although Her Majesty’s Government were in no way concerned in
the dispute which had arisen between the Sheikh and Persia, which was a question I
must decline to discuss, yet England was most anxious that peace and security should
be maintained within the two borders, that Christians and Mussulmans alike should
enjoy complete religious and civil liberty, and in the present struggle, the lives and
property of all non-combatants should be respected. But, on the other hand, it did
not appear to me that the lamentable events which had occurred at Miandew were a
fitting prelude to the establishment of that order which the Sheikh had professed his
anxiety to inaugurate. The intelligence of the massacre of Miandow would send a
thrill of pain throughout Europe, and be received with unmitigated sorrow and dis
approbation by Her Majesty’s Government. I, however, trusted that a way might
be opened for negotiation between the Persian Government and the Sheikh, upon a
basis of justice for both sides.
The Khalifeh, before taking leave, said that Sheikh Obeidoollah was ready to
furnish me with an escort which would accompany me through Merghever, Ushnei,
and Suldouz to Souj Boulak, the present head-quarters of his son, Abd-el-Kader,
and that the latter would give me a safe conduct to within an easy distance of the
Persian lines.
On the 28th October, I proceeded to the Kurdish camp, where I had an inter
view with Sheikh Obeidoollah, who handed me a letter for his son, Abd-el-Kader. I
then started on my journey with the Kurdish escort.
Inclosure 2 in No. 56.
Consul-General Abbott to Mr. Thomson.
Sir, Tabreez, November 7, 1880.
WITH reference to my despatch which I addressed your Excellency on the 7th
ultimo from Oroomiah, I have further the honour to report, that on the 16th October
the lkbal-ed-Dowleh removed his camp to Badilboo, to watch the movements of a large
Kurdish force, stationed at Somai Beradost. The Kurds afterwards occupied Fort
Ismail Agha, between Beradost and the Oroomiah Plain. The Persians, in their
unsuccessful attempt to dislodge them from that position, lost two guns.
On the 20th October, Sheikh Obeidoollah, coming from Nochea and Merghever,
encamped with a considerable army on the Seir mountain. His force, and that