'General information on Persia for any future edition, 1895' [‎60r] (110/211)

Inclosure 1 in No. 21.
Acting Consul Hampson to Sir W. White.
Sir, Erzeroum, February 28, 1891.
I HAVE the honour to inclose the translation of an article published in the
official local paper, regarding the formation of the Kurds into a regiment of irregular
cavalry, and of the forthcoming visit of some of the Chiefs to Constantinople.
These Chiefs left Erzeroum last week for Erzingian, whence they will proceed to
the capital.
As I have before stated to your Excellency, this measure of arming the Kurds is
regarded with great anxiety here. This feeling is much increased by the conduct of
the Kurds themselves, many of wdiom openly state that they have been appointed to
suppress the Armenians, and that they have received assurances that they will not be
called to answer before the Tribunals for any acts of oppression committed against
Christians.
The Armenians in this town are very uneasy, and very many of those who are in
position to be able to do so have expressed their intention of leaving Erzeroum as
soon a the roads are open.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES S. HAMPSON.
Inclosure 2 in No. 21.
Extract from the st Envar Sharkie'” of Erzeroum of February 20, 18f'l.
(Translation.)
WE have already announced that, in consequence of the request of the tribes
which exist in the vilayets of Erzeroum and Bitlis to be enrolled as a sort of cavalry
regiment, the Chiefs of the said tribes were invited by the Commander-in-chief of the
4th Army Corps to repair to head-quarters at Erzingian in order to discuss this
proposal; and that, after a few days’ deliberation, they received their orders and
returned home.
We have lately learnt that certain of these tribes have now requested to be
allowed to repair to Constantinople, and there exhibit their native customs and
costumes to His Imperial Majesty the Sultan; and that His Majesty hav i n r> been
pleased to grant this request, the Chiefs in question have again gone to Erzingian in
order that a decision and election may take place as to those who will be sent to the
capital. .
It cannot be doubted that, bold and intrepid as the Kurds, Chiefs and privates
alike, are by nature and character, if they were regularly and continuously instructed
and drilled'by competent officers, and supplied with proper uniforms, arms, and the
necessary horses, they would form a very effective division of the Imperial troops.
Eor the tribes of Kurds and Arabs within the limits of the Ottoman Empire, by
reason of the conditions under which they live, of the localities where they dwell,
abounding in pure air and water, and of their manner of life, are, foi the most part,
strong of body and constitution, and free from sickness and disease ) and being stiong
of limb and in continual exercise, they are, from their earliest years, devoted to riding
and the use of arms. In addition to this, owing to the existence ot lanks among
themselves, they are accustomed to discipline and obedience.
Eor all these reasons it will be recognized by all, great and small, that, it they be
granted the protection and patronage of the Sultan, and be enrolled among the regular
troops, they will justly gain much in esprit de corps, and become a brave and deter
mined body of soldiers.
No. 22 .
Sir W. White to the Marquis of Salisbury—(Received March 20.)
My Lord, Constantinople, March 14, 1891,
WITH reference to my despatch of the 23rd Eebruary, transmitting a copy of
Mr. Acting Consul Hampson’s despatch of the 30th January, I have the honour to
transmit herewith copy of a further despatch from Mr. Hampson, w Inch incloses one