File 3142/1903 'Hedjaz Railway' [‎153v] (315/488)

Inclosure 1 in No. 2.
Acting Consul Hampson to Sir N. O’Conor.
(No. 35.)
Erzeroum, October 3, 1903.
AS I had the honour to inform your Excellency by telegram yesterday, a somewhat
serious conflict between Armenian revolutionaries and Turkish troops occurred near the
Russian frontier on the 1st instant. The former, to the number of about eighty, sixty of
whom were mounted, had crossed the frontier, to the south of the Kars road, into Passin on
Wednesday night, which they spent at the village of Taihoja, about three hours from the
frontier.
Early on Thursday morning they proceeded, about one and a-half hours, to Yuzveren,
w here they found a small detachment of troops, who, with the patrols, &c., who came to
their assistance, numbered somewhat under 100 men. The Armenians divided into three
parties and took up strong positions, and a fight ensued which lasted the whole day.
Eventually the Armenians were dispersed, leaving a good many killed and wounded, the
number not yet known. The troops lost a captain, a sergeant, and five or six soldiers
killed ; and two officers and several privates wounded.
News of the affair only reached Erzeroum on Thursday evening, the Armenians
having cut the telegraph wires, so that Hassan Kale was the nearest available station.
The \ ali at once sent two companies of infantry and a small detachment of cavalry
to restore order, under Ahmed Abouk Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , a capable and enlightened officer; and it is
thought that the Armenians who escaped have retired across the frontier, and that all
fighting is at an end. The Yali informs me that he is confident that the incident
is over.
As usual, the first rumours of the affair reached Erzeroum in a very exaggerated form,
and there was considerable excitement and alarm. The Armenians were in a panic*
fearing that they would be suspected of sympathizing with the revolutionaries, and that
the Mussulmans would seize the pretext to attack them ; but the Vali at once took all
necessary measures to prevent disorders and to assure the Armenians that he was
convinced oi their loyalty; and by yesterday afternoon confidence was completely
restored.
I have, &c.
[(Signed) CHARLES S. HAMPSON.
Inclosure 2 in No. 2.
Acting Consul Hampson to Sir N. O’Conor.
(No. 36.)
Erzeroum i October 6, 1903.
IN continuation of my preceding despatch of the 3rd instant, 1 have the honour to
report that on Friday last, the 2nd instant, a second band of about fifty Armenian
revolutionaries crossed into Passin from Russia. On the next day they met a detachment
of troops at the village of Komassor, about an hour east of Yuzveren, where the fight
with the other band occurred ; and fighting continued most of that day. Eventually this
band also was dispersed, leaving a number of prisoners and wounded. The troops lost
another captain; other losses not yet known.
Full details are wanting, the telegraph wires having again been cut; but the Vali
assured me last night that he is confident of being able to deal easily with all such bands,
and that he has no fear of any general disorder. He has publicly declared that he
considers the incursion of these bands as acts of simple brigandage, to be dealt with by
the military and police; and has strictly forbidden the intervention of any other
inhabitants, whether Mussulmans or Christians. This town is perfectly quiet.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES S. HAMPSON.
P.S.—A traveller reports that he saw the bodies of at least forty Armenians who had
been killed in the fighting.
C. S. H.