'General information on Persia for any future edition, 1895' [‎85v] (161/211)

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travelling alone in that neighbourhood was met and bound and robbed by a party of
Kurds who took him for a sheep merchant. The telegraph “ chaoush ” pretended
he did not know these men, so they spared his life; but he asserts that they are
Haideranli Kurds, and from the district of Mehmed Sidik Effendi (the worthy and
capable Mudir of Abagha), and he surmises that they must have been the robbers who
ventured to commit the crime at Karagunduz later the same day. The Kaimakam
of Mahmudi Caza has had instructions to make a most searching inquiry into this
affair.
The murder of Mohsi Sahag is the third murder of an Armenian of some wealth
and position by Kurds likewise pretending to rural dignity, within the space of ten
weeks ; the first case being the murder in Garchigan mentioned in my despatch of the
22nd June, and the second that of Krikor Oglu Melkon (Melik) of Mukus Caza. Nouri
Bey is in prison for the latter crime, but his trial has not yet begun. The assassins in
the other case made their escape, and it is the duty of the Vali of Bitlis to effect their
capture. It is most desirable that the four murderers should be apprehended as
quickly as possible, in this last case; I have been told that Shakir is the chief culprit,
but his Beatitude Hovsep Effendi is informed that Shakir’s brother Umr was the
actual assassin.
I have, &c.
(Signed) GEOKGE POLLARD DEVEY.
No. 74.
Sir fT. White to the Marquis of Salisbury.—{Received September 18.)
My Lord, Therapia, September 9, 1891.
HAYING observed a paragraph in the “ Daily News ” of the 29th ultimo to the
effect that the bazaar at Diarbekir had been burned on the 31st July, and that
disturbances at that place had resulted, I inquired of Mr. Vice-Consul Boyadjian, by
telegraph, what truth lay in this report.
Mr. Boyadjian has replied by stating that seventy shops, of which forty-five
were municipal property, were accidentally burned, that goods valued at 1,000/. were
stolen, but partially recovered, and that no disturbances of any kind took place.
I have, &c.
(Signed) W. A. WHITE.
No. 75.
Acting Consul Hampson to Sir W. White.—{Received at the Foreign Office, October 2.)
(Extract.) Erzeroum, September 12, 1891.
I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency that the Yali left here last
Saturday evening for a tour of inspection in the districts of Tortoum, Ispir, and
Baibourt. It is expected that his Excellency will be absent about two months.
The Yali’s previous journeys have had a very good effect in the districts visited,
and I do not doubt that the present tour will be equally useful. Ilis Excellency’s
energy and justice are beginning to be fully appreciated.
‘ No. 76.
Acting Consul Hampson to Sir W. White.—{Received at the Foreign Office, October 2.)
kus Erzeroum, September 12, 1891.
I HAVE the honour to inclose copy of a further despatch received from Acting
Vice-Consul Boyajian respecting the origin of the troubles in Dersim, from which it
would appear that the conduct of the Military Governor of that district has been very
ill-advised.
No fresh news has been obtainable here in regard to events in Dersim.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES S. HAMPSON.