Mr. Tyler to Mr.
Olney.
Legation of the United States,
Teheran, Persia, June
18, 1896. (Received July 23.)
No. 249, Dip. Ser.]
Sir: I beg most respectfully to transmit
herewith inclosed copies of two letters which I have received from
missionaries stationed at ——— and ———, each giving an account of the
state and prospects of the place where he is located. In ——— and ——— the
normal condition of affairs seems to be preserved, but in ——— Mr. ———
appears to have cause for apprehension, especially from incursions of
the Kurds.
In view of the unsettled and threatening attitude of the Kurds,
[Page 474]
reported in Mr. ———’s letter,
I immediately on receipt of the same made a translation of it and sent
it to the Sadr Azem, with a request that he would forthwith take the
necessary measures for the protection and preservation of the lives and
property of American citizens located in that region. I hope that he
will also take a merciful view of the case of the refugee Armenians. As
there are at the present time several Kurdish chiefs in the retinue of
the Shah, the Government has the means of curbing, if not altogether
preventing, the cruel and vindictive proceedings of these lawless
tribes. I have not thought it necessary to plead the cause of these
Armenians, except in this indirect way, inasmuch as, though it is not
generally known, the native Christians in Oroomiah and the border
regions have a civil governor or headman, appointed by the Government,
whose duty it is to watch over and protect their private and public
interests, and if he fails in his functions can be called to
account.
I have, etc.,
John Tyler,
Vice-Consul-General in Charge.
[Inclosure 1 in No.
249.]
Mr. ——— to Mr. Tyler.
Dear Sir: Your letter making kind inquiry
for our welfare is at hand. I thank you for your interest in and
care for us. I am happy to report that nothing untoward has happened
to us or the people generally. The greatest danger was from bread
riots, but the donation of 120,000 tomans, as we hear (or 45,000),
to improve the quality of the bread and bring wheat to the city, has
lessened this danger. Mr. Castelli Lamanianz and several Persian
bankers have taken a contract to bring a large quantity of wheat
from Russia, and it is already beginning to arrive. Still officials
and bakers are preventing the full benefit of the royal favor from
reaching the people. Everything is quiet. Word from Oroomiah to-day
says that everything is quiet there.
The Shah showed special favors to Drs. Holmes and Varmeman. Dr.
Holmes happened to be here from Hamadan. The Shah called him every
day and cordially invited him to come to Teheran and again be his
confidential physician. His Majesty seemed loath to accept his
declination. The Shah’s family, etc., were specially committed to
Dr. Varmeman, and he desires him to accompany them to Teheran to see
to their health by the way. Dr. V. has consented, but we still hope
that some physician may be sent from Teheran to accompany the
Anderum to the capital, as Dr. V.’s service will be much needed
here.
Our mission in a body was presented to the Shah by Dr. Wood, Her
Britannic Majesty’s consul-general, on the day before His Majesty’s
departure. The Armenians were also received, presenting a gold plate
with salt and bread.
Again thanking you, I remain, etc.,
—— ———.
[Page 475]
[Inclosure 2 in No.
249.]
Mr. ——— to Mr. McDonald.
Dear Sir: In answer to Mr. Tyler’s letter
of May 14, in which he makes inquiries about the state of this
region at present, I would say that up to last Wednesday, May 27,
all seemed to have quieted down. But on the evening of that day a
company of Van Armenians, who were on their way to Salmos, were
attacked about three hours west of this town by Kurds. The Armenians
were 61 in number. They had only 8 or 10 guns for self-defense, and
were coming here to get work, they say. They mostly belonged to
pillaged villages in Van region; they could not return to them, as
Kurds would kill them at once, and the rations given out at Van by
Dr. Kimbal were no longer given. The Turkish Government would give
no passports; and even if they did furnish them they would be of no
use in Kurdistan, where every Armenian seen is slain. So these men
were coming through in a company, but traveled at night and in
byways, so as to avoid the Kurds. It was a case of necessity that
they came as they did, or else remain and starve at Van. Nearly all
were dressed in rags and tatters.
When the Kurds came on this band at Darik (a former Armenian town),
the Armenians took refuge in an old monastery. The Kurds killed 3
and wounded 3 more, however. Then the Kurds burned in the door. The
Armenians saw they were going to be killed and got ready to defend
themselves. They opened lire on the Kurds, and after 7 of them (so
report says) were killed and 3 more wounded they fled. The Armenians
then fled from the monastery, and 41 of them reached the old city of
Salmos, where they were arrested without any resistance and
imprisoned in Diliman as refugees who had no passports. The acting
governor is a hater of the Armenians, and is making it very hard for
these men. The Kurds are sending telegrams far and wide that the
Armenians are in rebellion and killing off the Kurds. We hear the
acting governor also reported the Armenians as revolutionists. But
the facts as above stated agree with the best information
obtainable. The probability is that the 41 arrested will be
eventually turned over to the Turkish vice-consul at Khoi, and he
will send them back toward Van. But if this is attempted every one
of them will be slain. The Kurds will attack them in large numbers
as soon as they are off of the Khoi plain, and, as the Armenians
will be defenseless, will put all to death. The Armenians of Salmos
are making threats of wiping out this plain. We hear three regiments
of Persian soldiers are on their way here. If so, the Kurds may be
afraid to carry out their threats, especially as the leaders are now
with the Shah.
I felt you should know the facts. You may be able to remove prejudice
at Teheran, and use your influence to prevent these poor men being
sent back to Turkey.
Yours, truly,
——— ———.
