'General information on Persia for any future edition, 1895' [‎55v] (101/211)

14
The three Armenians, named Odian, Tarpinian, and Panirian, mentioned in my
last, were charged and confessed the crime, declaring they were m need of money.
I have, &c.
(Signed) GEOPGE POLLAIED EEVEY.
Inclosure 5 in No. 11.
Supplementary Memorandum.
IT was reported by the British Consul at Van that nine sheep had been cairied
off from Sivan village in the Van district by robbers of the .Tellali tiibc of 1 (isia, and
it has been shown in the “ List ” lately drawn up that though no information on this
count had beenl odged with the Government, still the case had been retened to the
police Department for examination; by the Chief Commissary; it is now set forth
in a report that restitution of these sheep has been brought about by the central iabur-
Aghassi of Gendarmerie. a • i • r
It was asserted bv the same Consul that in places between Van and oeiai, chiet
town of Mahmudi, Caza, 18,000 stacks of hay had been burnt by bad characters of
Arusan tribe of Persia; in respect of this arson, albeit no complaint had been made
whatever, and though plain that 18,000 stacks could not possibly be found, still, as
stated in the aforesaid “ List,” this allegation was referred also to the police depart-
ment for examination. .
The Chief Commissary of Police on this head reports the burning ot the ano've
quantity to be entirely without foundation, but adds that five or ten sacks wcie burnt
in the villages of Mirek, Norshen, Janik, and Mermud, in which cases the culprits
were, without exception, seized and delivered to the Courts of Justice.
The Consul stated that the Begie “Kolji” Tefur took by force from the village
Keoshk in Van district, twelve “chaps” of corn ; no complaint had been brought, but
the matter w r as referred likewise to the police for inquiry, as set forth in the pre\ ions
“ List.” The Chief Commissary now reports the seizure of twelve “ chaps to be
devoid of truth, but adds that the “ Mukhtar ” and “Kiahya” of the said village
avow they gave of free will two and a-half “ chaps ” to Tifur.
In the said “ List ” the Consul declared that some fifty sheep had been raided
fromBoghazik village under Van. No complaint was made on this subject; however,
this matter also was referred to the same police Department, as previously show r n. On
this head the Chief Commissary reports, in reply, that some sheep stolen from this
village have likewise been restored by the central “ Tabur Aghassi ” of Gendarmerie
already.
In the same “ List ” the Consul advanced that cases of theft and robbery had
occurred in Albak Caza, and its environs, and on the highways; thereon information
w^as demanded, nothing being known from that place, as previously shown. In a
telegram received from the Albak Kaimakam, in reply, the allegations are declared
entirely untrue, neither has any such complaint been lodged at all.
Again, in the same “ List,” the Consul stated that, at Kotranis village, in Julamerik
Caza, a number of sheep had been stolen by Kurds whether from Shattakh or
Berwari, and further, a number had perished of disease; and it was set forth that,
in the absence of all knowdedge thereof, information had been demanded from
Julamerik. In the telegraphic reply of the Mutessariff of Hekkiari, it is stated that
about eight sheep belonging to this village were raided last autumn by the Sherefan
tribe of Kurds, and that, upon petition, the accused were seized and delivered to the
Court; and further, that it is declared by the Mukhtar of the village that no sheep
died of disease, and that, with the exception of the number specified, no other sheep
were stolen.
The Consul related that, according to one report, 5,000, and to another 15,000 had
been raided by Kurds of the Heriki tribe and by robbers from Persia, in the Caza of
Gevar and Shemdinan, and, as mentioned in the aforesaid “ List,” no information was
available, but a question -was asked of the Mutessarif of Hekkiari. A telegram, in
reply from the Mutessariff, declares such reports without foundation; and says, the
Kaimakam of Gevar states there is perfect tranquillity, adding that he (the
Mutessariff) will communicate the reply of the Shemdinan Kaimakam when
received.
As shown in the aforesaid “ List,” the Consul reported that sheep and cattle had
been carried off from Kanghevar village, in Hamidiyye Caza, by Shakir, who has