File 5655/1918 Pt 2 'Mesopotamia: Refugee Camp at Baqubah (1920 – papers)' [‎446v] (903/946)

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If the British Protectorate be proclaimed, then the safety of our people is assured, and we
have not the least wish to interfere with the rights of the Kurdish inhabitants of the land. They
are, like us, dwellers there from of old, and we believe that if once a Government were established
that would stop raiding on both sides, the two nations could live in friendship.
If these three desires of ours can be secured to us, then all comparatively small matters, such as
release of captives, the restoration of Church endowments to their ancient use, and the drawing ^
of the boundaries between Christian and Kurdish villages, can of course be settled bv the British
Political Officers in Kurdistan.
In closing this letter, I must express, as Patriarch of this ancient Millet, my deep
gratitude to the Biitish Government for all that has been done to preserve mv Deoole dur
sing these terrible years of affliction.” P
In March a telegram was despatched by the Civil Commissioner to the Foreign Office asking
if a delegate selected by the Assyrian Community could be despatched to Paris under the escort
o an officer in the Political Department, to put forward the case for the Assyrian Nation. An
answer was received in April to the effect that His Majesty’s Government thought that no purpose
ij OU at ! e y ve ^ ^ ie deputation, and that Assyrians should be informed sympathetically that
His Majesty s Government would do their best to ensure that the special position of Assyrians
would be safeguarded. ^
In May, as a result of much discontent and suspicion amongst the Refugees, which in a previous
chapter has been alluded to, the Civil Commissioner wiring to the Foreign Office pressed for
Sem-etarv'o 'snt? e Proceeding home. On the 21st July a reply was received from the
Secietaiy of State foi India to the effect that one representative of the Assyrians could come to
London where on arrival the question of a visit to Paris, could be considered Conseouentlv
Surma Khaniffi the Sister of the Patriarch, Mar Polos Shim’un, was chosen by all the Assyrians
hqre m Ba quba as then- representative, and as soon as a direct boat was available from Basrah in
A n ? ber ’ WaS des P atchec to London, under the escort of an officer of the Political Department,
telegram was received, about a month later to the effect that she had arrived safely in London.
Briefly, the aims and objects of the Assyrian Nation are as follows
1. I o obtain future security under the British Government, and as a united nation, in their
f d Wltbln the ^ rea Mosul —Jezireh—Bash Kala—Urumieh : and to be per
mitted the maintenance of an adequate armed force for the protection of their homes
against outside attacks by Kurds, Persians or Turks.
2. That the Assyrians be in no way confounded with the Armenians and to be apportioned
entirely separate country wherein they may regain their future independence.
o. Phat the Persian Government be required to guarantee the security of Assyrians who
weie fomieriy Persian subjects ; and to ensure their re-settlement in the districts
abou Urumieh. For this purpose a British Consul and the maintenance of a special
* Gendarmerie, commanded by British Officers, is desired special
4. That the Persian Government be called upon to effect the release of all Christians at
present held captives by Persians and Kurds in Persian territory.
5 ' ^^rnmVh^-^^of P^ate and ecclesiastical lands and buildings, forcibly taken
from the Assyrians during the past fifty years by Turks and Kurds-particulafly the
6 ' lhat nh H- Cburch-dands be safeguarded for the future in order that the revenues
oftheC S? fl0mmaybedeV ° tedt0 the education ofthe ' people, and the support
7 ’ lha !iati o e n. CleSiaStiCal ^ ° f thenation be ^cognized and upheld by the protecting
8. That former grazing lands, from which the Mountain Assyrians have been driven bv
Moslem oppression, be again made available for their flocks and herds. V
9. The punishment of certain Kurd and Persian Chieftains who have systematically during
the past few years, oppressed and ill-treated Chrisrians ; and to ensure that thk
tyranny will now cease. ^ ensure mat mis
Amongst those especially violent towards Christians are the following Kurdish Chiefs
(a) Sim patrilrch tUr ’ Wh ° reCent ' y murdered in a treacherous manner, the late Assyrian
(W ^Uretather of ^Tprese^t M^k^hoshaba. 6 ^ ^ Tiari ^ “ ed Yosip
^ ^^and ^hddren'of Kurshr in^Diz. 6 ^ ^ar Shim’un massacred the women
ifere employ
etc,, other B,
Month.
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