'General information on Persia for any future edition, 1895' [‎81r] (152/211)

A gentleman in whose judgment I have confidence writes me under date of
the 2nd instant as follows: “ The political situation at Aintab is had. Early in
the spring a small conflict took place between some Moslems and some Armenians
who were celebrating Easter, and the Moslems were beaten. Since that time matters
have been growing steadily worse, until now there is really serious danger. The
Government is, however, awake, and especially the conduct of the big Moslem Aghas
has been worthy of all praise. Two or three weeks ago they probably prevented a
massacre by their firmness. The great danger now is that the Government will accept
false witness against the Christians. One prominent Christian is in prison now on the
charge of having incited another Christian to curse some Moslems while at prayer in a
mosque. The charge is probably utterly without foundation. The situation seems,
however, to be better than it was two days ago.
“ There is, however, much lawlessness in the city.”
Having read this letter to the Governor-General on the 4th instant, he informed
me that the Chief of the Gendarmerie had reported that matters were now quiet.
The preliminaries of the trial of the forty-four Armenians belonging to Zeitoun
implicated in the disturbances of last autumn began here on the 3rd instant.
I have, &c.
(Signed) T. S. JAGO.
No. 61.
Consul Jago to Sir W. White.—(Received at the Foreign Office, August 7.)
Sir, Aleppo, July 15, 1891.
EEEEEIIING to my despatch of the 9th instant, reporting disturbances at
Aintab, I have the honour to state that matters appear to be quieting down
there. A correspondent, writing under date of the 9th instant, says: “We are
better off this week than last week, and the danger of any general conflict between
Moslem and Christian is probably past. They are, however, bringing down a few of
the high heads among the Christians. One has been arrested on a charge resembling
treason, and probably there is some ground for it. Two ethers have been arrested on,
so to speak, religious grounds ; but I must believe that the charges are wholly false.
What the end will be for these men I do not know. But the general bad feeling
has passed, I think, to a great extent.”
The Christians alluded to are Armenians, who form the vast bulk of the Christian
population of Aintab.
The trial of the forty-four Armenians of Zeitoun for sedition, attempted rebellion,
&c., begins here on the 1st August.
Judging from all I can see and hear, there seems no doubt that the present
restlessness of the Armenians in the Vilayet of Aleppo to Turkish rule, showing itself
in speech and petty acts of so-called rebellion serving no other purpose than to
exaggerate the fears and exasperate their rulers, is due to several concurrent causes,
such as the spread of local education among them, largely aided by the American
missionaries, the influences wrought upon them by correspondence with their numerous
countrymen who have settled in Europe and America, and, lastly, the teaching of
agents* of the so-called Secret Committees.
I have, &c.
(Signed) T. S. JAGO.
No. 62.
Acting Consul Hampson to Sir W. While.—(Received at the Foreign Office, August 7.)
§i r Erzeroum, July 18, 1891.
I HAVE the honour to forward to your Excellency copy in duplicate of Vice-
Consul Hevey’s despatch of the 4th July, giving further details as to the robbery of
the Dragoman of the liussian Consulate, and narrating various other crimes and
disorders in that district.
It is with satisfaction that I am able to state that in this neighbourhood all is, in
general, quiet. Cases of cattle-raiding and robbery occur here and there, but they are
isolated, and of no general import. The worst case brought to my notice has been the
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