'General information on Persia for any future edition, 1895' [‎78v] (147/211)

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one a Mussulman. They were met by a party of seven Kurds, who stripped the
Christians of everything they had, giving them their own rags in exchange for their
clothes. It is said that it was only the representations of their Mussulman companion
which saved them from being murdered.
At Hach-Keui, in the district of Terjan, five hours distant from here, about fifteen
days ago a party of eight Kurds from Kozichan attacked four Armenian brothers who
were working in the fields near the village, with the object of carrying off the cattle.
The Armenians, however, defended their property, and to such purpose that the Kurds
were forced to retire, leaving four of their number, one severely, and the others
slightly, wounded in the hands of their opponents. The latter also suffered heavily,
one of "the brothers being killed and another severely wounded in the fight.
The remaining Kurds, furious at their defeat, collected a large number of their
tribe; made a raid on Khach-Keui, carried off all the property on which they could
lay their hands, and rescued the three of their comrades who had been slightly
wounded They were obliged to leave the one who was severely wounded to the
Armenians, bv whom he has been handed over to the Kaimakam of Mama-Khatun.
Trom the plain of Erzeroum, also, come many stories of ill-treatment of Christians.
At Setaouk some Mussulmans forcibly entered tbe house of an Armenian, with the
design of outraging his daughter. Tailing in this they violated his wife.
At Umudum, the state of things seems to be very bad. The Christian Mudid was
grossly insulted by some low Mussulmans a few days ago.
Both these last cases have been referred to the authorities at Ilidja.
Beligious and race animosity are very strong now ; and, though I have every
confidence in the good intentions of the Yah, it will require all his energy and decision
to prevent a serious outbreak.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CHABLES S. SAMPSON.
No. 53.
Acting Consul Hampson to Sir W. White.—(Received at the Foreign Office, June 26.)
Sir, Erzeroum, June 10, 1891.
I SAVE the honour to inform your Excellency that I yesterday saw the Yali,
and had a long conversation with him on the state of the country. I called his
attention to the events which I have noticed in my immediately preceding despatch,
and especially to the murder of an Armenian close to the town, pointing out how
important it was that such a crime should not be allowed to escape punishment.
His Excellency, while admitting that regrettable incidents had happened in several
places during the last fortnight, claimed that, on the whole, this district had been
remarkably quiet during the spring, which is true. With regard to the murder, while
assuring me that every means should be employed to trace and punish the criminal,
he spoke strongly of the folly of those who persist in roaming about at night in a
country which is admittedly not perfectly tranquil.
I am going to-day to Portoum, for a few days, for change of air. I shall
endeavour to learn personally the state of those villages through which I pass.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES S. HAMPSON.
No. 54.
The Marquis of Salisbury to Sir W. White.
Sir, ^ Foreign Office, July 1, 1891.
^ HA^ E received your Excellency’s despatch of the 22nd ultimo, transmitting
copy of a despatch trom Her Majesty’s Acting Consul at Erzeroum, relative to the
murderous attacks which have been made on Armenians, and I bave to request your
Excellency to inform Mr. Hampson that I approve the language he held on the
subject to the ^ ali of Erzeroum, as reported by him to your Excellency.
I am, &c.
(Signed) SALISBURY.