'General information on Persia for any future edition, 1895' [‎89r] (168/211)

I shall keep your Excellency informed of anything further which I may learn in
regard to this affair.
I have, &c.
(Signed) CHARLES S. HAMPSON.
No. 86.
Vice-Consul Devey to Acting Consul Hampson.—{Received at the Foreign Office,
November 13.)
Sir, Van, October 6, 1891.
I HAVE the honour to inform you that the Armenians, mentioned in my despatch
of the 23rd ultimo as having been condemned to three years’ imprisonment for black
mail letters, have been set at liberty, a free pardon having been granted them by the
grace of His Majesty the Sultan. This act of mercy will no doubt go far to conciliate
Armenian civil discontent both with regard to the Local and the Central Government.
Apparently, they were in all eleven accused; one only was acquitted and the
others condemned, but either two or three of the number had remained in hiding,
probably in the town or neighbourhood of Van, until quite recently. One is now in
prison, but, it is understood, in hourly hope of sharing the Imperial clemency shown
to his fellow convicts.
Those pardoned are Shahinian Garahed, Saatji Mesrob, Belekian Markav, Mokasian
Haji Mi kail, Mohsi Asbanian Bagdasar, Puhizian Dikran, and Kahuzian Bagdasar
(seven in all).
Ohannes, of Alouv village, was acquitted.
I have to mention that three cases of sheep-raiding of villages in Shattakii Caza
have been brought to my knowledge, and it is also stated that an Armenian woman was
shot dead by a Kurd who meant to kill an Armenian “ Kiahya ” in the same neigh
bourhood.
The Ka'imakam of that district, Reshid Bey, has just been replaced by Mahmo d
Effendi, who has administered many of the Van Vilayet cazas during several years
past, and hears the reputation of a just man.
I have, &c.
(Signed) GEORGE POLLARD DEVEY.
No. 87.
Acting Consul Hampson to Sir W, White.—{Received at the Foreign Office, November 13.)
Sir, Erzeroum, October 17,1891.
WITH reference to my despatch of the 10th October, 1891, in which I
reported to your Excellency the murder of seven Armenians by Kurds near Kara-
Kilissa, I have now the honour to inform you that the Armenians in question were
returning to their homes in Kara-Kilissa and Toprak Kala from Russia, whither they
had fled last year after the troubles of June. They were nine in all, and, while crossing
the Sinek Dag, were suddenly attacked by a large band of Jelali Kurds, said to have
numbered over 100. Seven of the Armenians were at once killed; the two who escaped
fled back to Russia.
None of the Kurds were killed, and only six have so far been arrested at
Kara-Kilissa.
[ have See
(Signed) ’ CHARLES S. HAMPSON.
No. 88.
Acting Consul Hampson to Sir W. White.—{Received at the Foreign Office, November 13.)
Sir, Erzeroum, October 24, 1891.
WITH reference to the troubles in Dersim, I have the honour to inform your
Excellency that I learn from Acting Vice-Consul Boyajian that the reinforcements
sent to Dersim remain there in a state of inactivity, presumably awaiting the return
of the Commander-in-chief to Erzingian.
I170] M