The village complained to the government of Mustapha Pasha’s exactions, but no redress was given by the government, nor anything done to Mustapha Pasha, who, when he learned of their having made complaint, sent droves of sheep to devour the crops that remained, viz., five pieces of ground sown and bearing cotton, millet, flaxseed, etc., valued at 2000 piasters.”
“Partial List of Exaction by Aghas of Shernakh (one day north of Jezireh), from Hassana of Bohtan, during years 1891–’93. Hassana has sixty houses:
| 1893. | ||
| Use of 30 men to carry flour for Mohammed Agha, 2 days | 150 | ps. |
| For Mohammed Agha, cash 10 liras | 1,000 | |
| For Mohammed Agha, 15 pieces of cloth | 150 | |
| For Taher Agha, cash 14 liras | 1,400 | |
| For Taher Agha, taken from village priest, cash 75 ps., saddle 75 ps., watch 200 ps. | 350 | |
| For Sahdoon Agha, cash 2 liras | 200 | |
| For Mohammed | 120 | |
| For Khorsheed | 57 | |
| For Mohammed Agha, harvest, 500 men at 3 ps. | 1,500 | |
| For Mohammed Agha, repair of his roads, 65 men, 3 days | 487 | |
| For Mohammed Agha, repair of his roads, 50 men, 3 days | 375 | |
| For Mohammed Agha, preparation of boiled wheat for winter, 450 men and 14 animals | 1,160 | |
| For Mohammed Agha, building house in Dader, 150 men | 375 | |
| For Mohammed Agha, 2000 ceiling sticks, 10 posts | 554 | |
| For Mohammed Agha, 4 large trees for rafters, at 50 ps. | 200 | |
| Total for 1893 | 8,078 | ps. |
The above were noted in a book at the time of the occurrence by a village priest, as being seen by him personally, and do not give the great part of the exactions of the Shernakh Kurds, which he did not see.
One item additional to above: all the cotton of Mohammed Agha of Shernakh is, by the villagers, beaten, spun, twisted, woven, and returned as cloth (involving many days’ labor and two days’ journey), and any weight lost in the making up the amount must be made good.
This oppression is increasing from year to year. The above priest noted for years 1880–’82, taken by Aghas—cash, 4141 ps.; 90 animals used, 450 ps.; 314 men used, 785 ps. Total for three years, 5376, as over against 10,973 ps. for three years, 1891–’93.”
“Testimony given in writing, by a Christian of the District of Berwer, in reference to the oppression of Christians in that district by the Kurds, of which he himself was an eye-witness, the examples given being confined to three small villages and of recent occurrence. He gives the names of places and of the parties concerned, both Kurds and Christians. We summarize them.
Murders.—Eight men mentioned by name, others generalized.
Robbery.—Cash, 9 liras; again 10 liras; again 15 liras; smaller sums being taken continually.
Mohammed Beg, of Berwer, and his relatives responsible in greater part for the above; also for robbing of two houses in Ina D’Noony.