The life of Midhat Pasha 32

The life of Midhat Pasha 32

“MIDHAT.

 

“_6th October 1295, O.S._”

(_18th October 1879_).

 

 

_Cipher Telegram from the Grand Vizier to Midhat Pasha._

 

“YOUR HIGHNESS,—The English Ambassador has just been to see us,

on account of the events which are taking place among the Druses,

which he deeply regrets, and he has made the same communications to

the Minister for Foreign Affairs. It is of course a well‐known fact

that England offers a moral protection to the Druses, whilst France

does the same to the Maronites. Whilst the English, on one hand, are

scarcely pleased with the measures which have been adopted against

the Druses, yet on the other side there are the representations made

to Your Highness by the British Consul, to the effect that France

would have to bring a formal complaint if the increasing looting

by the Druses continues, as it is very hard on the Maronites. In

short, although the Druses are behaving abominably, it is not in

keeping with the justice of the State to leave them unpunished, and

yet, although their system of brigandage dates from time immemorial,

an opportune moment in which to teach them a lesson has never been

found. Supposing that the troops sent to safeguard the security of

the Empire were sufficient to end the whole affair, it is certain

that the continuation of the conflict between the Druses and

Hauranians could have no good result to the Empire. Consequently the

best means, in our opinion, by which to put an end to this affair,

consist in postponing the subjection of the Druses until the period

of the complete re‐organisation of the vilayet, and we must resign

ourselves to acting solely as arbitrators between the Druses and

Hauranians, to bring about an amicable arrangement. Your Highness

tells us that the Hauranians would refuse to accept the indemnity

that the Druses offer them. This may at first sight seem a difficulty

in the way of mediation by the Government, yet it is necessary to

induce the Hauranians to accept this indemnity, in order to prevent

the shedding of blood, and to avoid the multiplication of vexatious

incidents which might bring on political complications.

 

“If by chance the above arrangement cannot be brought about, Your

Highness is then authorised to suggest to the Hauranians the total

payment of the indemnity demanded by the State, informing the

public that it is among the pacific intentions of the Government to

have recourse to this solution of the matter, in the sole aim of

abolishing the enmity which exists between its two subject races.

 

“Necessary instructions as to the departure of the required troops

have been given to the War Office. I think it is my duty to add, that

in case the affair cannot be amicably arranged, it would be well to

have recourse to the influence of the leading men on either side,

this being a method, the efficacy of which has been already proved,

and if it were necessary Your Highness might go in person to the

scene of conflict.

 

“In short, we beg that Your Highness will employ every means for

conciliation, and we anxiously await the news of the closure of this

incident, without having to seek the intervention of coercion.—I am,

etc.,

 

“SÄÏD,

 

“_Grand Vizier_.”

 

“_13th October 1295, O.S._”

(_25th October 1879_).

 

 

_Reply from Midhat Pasha to the Telegram from the Grand Vizier._

 

“YOUR HIGHNESS,—In reply to your telegram of 13th October, it has

been shown in my previous communications that the incident of Hauran

was caused by a quarrel between the inhabitants of two villages, on

account of a girl, and this quarrel spread until it attained its

present serious proportions. Since it is quite impossible to remain

a passive spectator in face of a force of between three and four

thousand individuals, all armed and ready to kill each other, we

first of all sent officials, then gendarmes, and finally regular

troops, in order to prevent a collision between the two parties, and

we ended by calling in the Sheiks—proposing that they should come

to some amicable arrangement. The Hauranians thereupon insisted that

those Druses who were guilty of having killed some of their tribe

unjustly should be brought up to justice, or else, since they are the

more numerous, that the State should permit them to march against the

Druses. On the other hand the Druses declare that it is contrary to

their customs to be given up to justice, and fearing lest they may

thereby create a precedent, they refuse to surrender the culprits;

at the same time they have taken up their position in front of the

troops, and cut off the water‐supply that was used by the Army. They

are thus prepared to offer a strong resistance, and at the same time

are pillaging the villages which are inhabited by both Mussulmans and

Christians. Yesterday they devastated four villages, killed two of

the inhabitants, and after having wounded several others, they slew

four more whom they met on the road. We have sent many special envoys

to them, trying to impress upon them the necessity of surrendering

at any rate some of the twenty‐five criminals to the Government, and

they have at last consented to pay an indemnity, which was intended

to go to the families of those men who had been assassinated. The

Hauranians, however, will not hear of any such solution. One thing

is certain: it is quite impossible for us, after what has already

occurred, to leave the Hauranians at the mercy of the Druses, without

running the risk of creating very grave political and administrative

dangers. Consequently, if Your Highness can succeed in finding any

other method than that of the employment of an armed force, we shall

do all in our power to execute it successfully.—I am, etc.,

 

“MIDHAT.

 

“_14th October 1295, O.S._”

(_26th October 1876._)

 

 

_Telegram from the Grand Vizier to Midhat Pasha._

 

“YOUR HIGHNESS,—Since your advice coincides with ours that the

Druse question should be amicably settled, it is necessary to take

immediate steps towards obtaining a good result and preventing any

recurrence of these incidents, and this without having recourse

to military assistance. It would be very helpful to have the

co‐operation of those who by their influence would be able to quiet

down the minds of the people. Your Highness’ presence in these

districts would create a good impression. We therefore beg that Your

Highness will let us hear of your departure and of the means you

intend to adopt. From the telegram from the Marshal to the Minister

of War, it appears that the Druses have fired on the gendarmes whom

General Djémil Pasha had sent to that district in order to try and

re‐establish peace, and that on a Captain being killed, the gendarmes

retaliated, and that a battle took place. As this is not at all

expedient, Your Highness is particularly requested to put an end to

all reprisals.

 

“The Minister for War has stated that two battalions of regular

troops, and three battalions of reserve (with munitions of war) are

just starting for Beyrout, on the steamer _Mevridi‐Nousret_.—I am,

etc.,

 

“SAÏD,

 

“_Grand Vizier_.”

 

“_16th October 1295, O.S._”

(_28th October 1879._)

 

 

_Reply to the Grand Vizier from Midhat Pasha._

 

YOUR HIGHNESS,—The troops were not sent to Hauran with the

intention of fighting with the Druses, but, as my last telegram

explained, more than four thousand men, from one part and another,

had armed themselves and were prepared to attack, and as, under these

circumstances, the Government was obliged to interfere, it was simply

to prevent bloodshed and to procure justice for those who had been

injured. Your Highness is not unaware that those officials, who were

punished in 1276 (1860), owed their disgrace to having failed to

execute their duty conscientiously.

 

“Although the re‐establishment of order at Djébéli‐Druse might be

obtained as the natural result of our action, yet for the moment,

this would be of only a secondary interest; and since Your Highness

recommends us not to force it to this point, it may be possibly

obtained in the future.

 

“It is as Your Highness remarks: the Druses having always lived in a

state of brigandage, have been treated differently from others, and,

until now, I have tried to manage them with due recognition of this

fact. Some of the Druse Chieftains who were at Damascus have been

sent to the disturbed districts on a mission of peace. But they only

joined the others, and have committed criminal acts. Without taking

into consideration the treachery of these men, our one aim has been

always to find some means of ending this conflict without calling in

the aid of the Military, and we were awaiting the reception of the

Druse Chieftains from Mount Lebanon, who, through the negotiations

of Rustem Pasha, had offered themselves as mediators between the

belligerents. But yesterday, at a distance of only three‐quarters of

an hour from the camp of the Imperial Army, the inhabitants of Hauran

began once more to fight with those of Ledja. As soon as this news

reached the camp, a company of gendarmes and two companies of regular

troops were sent to the spot to try and separate them. But the Druses

immediately fired upon the Imperial troops, killing two gendarmes

and wounding an officer. On that, General Djémil Pasha joining them,

with two companies of regular troops, the Druses killed a captain

and fifteen soldiers, and the battle lasted until midnight. From a

telegram that the Marshal Ahmed Eyoub Pasha received this morning,

it appears that Djémil Pasha has returned to the camp, with all his

troops.

 

“After this incident the Marshal Ahmed Eyoub Pasha gave the

necessary orders to concentrate the remaining military troops. Holo

Pasha will be sent, with a member of the Administrative Council of

the vilayet, to try and persuade the belligerents to lay down their

arms. But to bring this business to an end, with moderation, one will

be obliged to drive the Druses from their positions in Hauran. The

arrival of the promised troops is quite indispensable.—I am, etc.,