Norwich bulletin., 1916-09-06
THE WAR PRIMER
By National Geographic Society

Dersim-"The wild mountain district
of Dersin, lying between the two
branches of the Euphrates River
known as the Frat Su and the Murad
SUI and entered from the north
through ErZingan, is now an oasis
like battle-ground for Turks and Rus
slams. This rugged region," says to-
days war geography bulletin of the
National Geographic Society, "is in
striking contrast TO the parched plains
ana mountains Of ENurdistan which
surround it. Here one finds rich pas
lures. ample water from cold mountain
streams, and the grateful shade of
chestnut and walnut groves, while the
homes of the $4,000 nomad Kurds are
built Of stone instead of mud, as in
neiGhboring regions.
The inhabitants Of this area, which
embraces nearly 1000 square miles,
are supposed to be of Armenian stock
and are divided into no less than IS
tribes, the religious chiefs of which
are known as Seids.
'8The Turks will receive little en-
courag ement or assistance from these
pastoral Dersi-1i who are derisively
called 'Kezelbash' (red- headed) by the
orthodox Mohammedans. The Der
sinli style themselves vol oushag'hi,'
or Children of the True Path being
followers of the Shiite branch of the
Moslem faith. Their hatred of the
Turks as compared with their dislike
of Russians is graphically described by
noted traveller, Capt 7. Molyneux-
Seel, who relates that on one occasion
a certain Said confided to him that it
was more naeritOrious to kill one Turk
than So Christians
"Many Of the towns Of Dersim are
today but shadows of their former
prosperity and Importance. A typical
instance is found in 0Iazgird, perched
in a little valley 1000 feet above sea
level, now a place with $50 stonc-buiIt
houses, largely inhabited by Armeni-
ans. If We are to accept the testimony
of this towns advertising tailor, long
since dead, the place was once several
times its present size for on the tomb
stone of this progressive maker of
clothes is the inscription am the
tailor of 5000 Armenians.'
while F<}lozat, or Chozat is the
capital Of Dersin and the seat OF gov
eminent for the sanjak, the largest
town in ChemishgeZel1, which lies IS
miles due west of the capital, its 1000
or more houses nesting in an or
chard shaded valley. In the vicinity
are several ancient rock chamber -ex-
Greek prince named Chemish once
took refuge, hence the name of the
town. Incidentally, there are many
natural-rock fortresses or cltadels
scattered throughout Dersim.
'Dersim is a land Of many fables
history Of the country is the story of
the evacuation of the village of Der
Ohan, as recounted by Capt. Mo1yneux-
Seel:
Forty years ago there lived in Der
Ohan village q certain Armenian
Melik, very rich and influential, who
had acquired such renown for his Wis
dom and learning that the Kurds,
whenever a dispute arose among them,
used to appeal to him and accept his
decision thereon. One day, 40 Kurds
from Kutte Dere came to the MeliIl
and asked his decision in the case of
a dispute which had arisen among
them and threatened to lead to 8
bloody conflict. During their stay at
Der Oman, the Kurds one day Ventured
to address some words Of love to the
beautiful daughter-in-law of the Ielik
as she was drawing water from the
we'll The young -Armenians OF the
village were so incensed at this that
the same night they massacred the
entire Kurd deputation: then, fearing
a terrible vengeance, they collected
their animals and portable possessions,
and, abandoning their homes, took
refuge in some village around ERIN
gan. The fugitives numbered about
900; only a few old men with wives
remained in the village, and of these
one survivor, who must be at least
one hundred years old, remains at the
present day.