'General information on Persia for any future edition, 1895' [‎59v] (109/211)

Inclosure 1 in No. 20.
Vice-Consul Devey to Consul Lloyd.
Sir, Van, November 11, 1890.
I HAVE the honour to collect and summarize some observations upon recent
crimes of violence rrhich have come to my knowledge.
Temir Agha, Chief of the Mukuri Kurds, as mentioned in my despatch No. 45,
was assassinated at night in Serai town, and, it is surmised, by Kurds of another tribe;
but the ciime has not yet been brought home.
An Armenian named A vale was murdered in the village Mendan by Kurds. It is
believed the crime was instigated by Eyub Khan, of the neighbouring village Dibeklu
(both are on the skirts of Mount Akta), who is a descendant of the famous Khan
Mahmud, and a careful inquiry is being held.
An Armenian youth, Movses, was wounded by a Kurd named Ismail, in Shattakh ;
the culprit has just been brought here for trial.
An Armenian of Ablagans village, near this town, lately pleaded guilty to the
charge of manslaughter of a Kurdish peasant; his excuse is that the Kurd was
purposing to rob him ; and possibly an effort will be made to mitigate the penalty of
five years’ imprisonment, to which he Avas condemned.
At Kock village, near Van, Sarkis, an Armenian, wounded Yusuf Bey, a Kurd.
The Armenian states that the latter entered his house by night with intent to rob ; and
I understand cross summonses have been taken out.
Three Armenians of Mazruk village, near Lake Archag, \A r ere assaulted and
wounded by Kurds whilst on the high road. One has since died, but it is said he was
of disreputable character. The facts are being inquired into.
I have, &c.
(Signed) GEOBGE POLLAKT) LEVEY.
Inclosure 2 in No. 20 .
Vice-Consul Devey to Consul Lloyd.
Sh** ^ Van, November 27, 1890.
I UNLEBSTANL that in the murder case of Mendan Izdinsher Bey, a son of
Eyub Khan has been convicted chiefly by circumstantial evidence; further that
there is hope that the Mazruk homicides will soon have been traced. These incidents
were reported in my despatch of the 11 th November.
Likran Effendi has entirely recovered from the trifling injury he sustained. The
sensation created by the incident has passed away, though the true facts have not yet
coum to light. The boy who brought Likran Effendi the anonymous letter remains
in prison, as he pretends to be unable to identify the person who delivered it.
I have, &c.
(Signed) GEOBGE POLLABL LEVEY.
No. 21 .
Sir W. White to the Marquis of Salisbury.—[Received March 20.)
My Lord Constantinople, March 14, 1891.
. '' f bll reference to my despatch of the 13th instant, I have the honour to
inclose herewith copy of a despatcli I have received from Mr. Acting Consul
Hampson, co\ering a translation irom the local official paper on the subject of the
sc icme for the formation of a Kurdish irregular cavalry, which is causing considerable
uneasiness among the Armenians in the district of Erzeroum.
Your Lordship will find the only details I have been able to obtain as to this
scheme, undertaken ostensibly to strengthen the defences of Turkey in that quarter,
m my despatches of the 24th ultimo and 13th instant respectively.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. A. WHITE.