[6] The figures for Bitlis vilayet are the Turkish official figures for 1893. [↑]
[7] The figures for Kharput sanjak are an estimate made for me by Consul Boyajean of Diarbekr, at the instance of Consul R. W. Graves. I had previously calculated that the Christians were in a majority in that sanjak. The population of the Dersim sanjak has been estimated from various sources. The estimate is little better than a guess. [↑]
[8] The figures for caza Palu have been furnished by Consul Boyajean. [↑]
[9] The Turkish official figures, as annexed to the British Consular Trade Report for 1887, have been adopted for the vilayet of Erzerum.
Except in the cases of Van town and caza, and possibly in those of vilayet Kharput and caza Palu, a large percentage might be added to the figures above given in order to provide for the imperfect registration of females. Under this head the figures for the other cazas of Van might be increased by 10 per cent; those for Bitlis vilayet by 13 per cent; and those for Erzerum vilayet by 7 per cent. [↑]
[10] The statistical area with which we are dealing for the Turkish provinces measures 42,814 square miles. If we were to adopt the area delimited by the Armenian delegates to the Berlin Congress, the proportion of Christians to Mohammedans would be still smaller. [↑]
[11] It is interesting to compare these results, which were obtained quite independently and before I had seen his estimate, with the figures given by the late Mr. Taylor, for many years British Consul for Erzerum and the surrounding country. Mr. Taylor knew the country intimately, and had travelled extensively in it. On his figures are based those which have been given by his successors in office, and which appear in the Blue-books. After making the necessary deductions for districts annexed to Russia since the date of Mr. Taylor’s reports, his estimate of the population, as adapted to the area with which we are dealing, is as follows:—Turks, 348,350; Kurds, 466,982; Christians, 352,657—total, 1,167,989. This estimate corresponds in a satisfactory manner with mine, after we have made allowance for information, either new or more complete, which has appeared with reference to certain districts since Taylor’s time. The census shows that Taylor under-estimated the Turks who inhabit the northern cazas of Erzerum vilayet. Taylor also placed the Kizilbash Kurds of the Dersim at 110,000. Relying on more recent reports, I place them at 50,000. [↑]
[12] Consul Taylor, in alluding to the Kurds of the tableland, has written to the following effect: “The Kurds inhabiting the Erzerum districts, with the exception of the Hakkiari, were originally immigrants from the vicinity of Diarbekr; and there is only one tribe, the Mamakanlu—said to be descended from the Armenian Mamikoneans—who are natives of the soil.” [↑]
[13] This tax is known in the country under the name of kishlak, or winter quarters. [↑]
[14] Vahan Vardapet, in an Armenian newspaper published in Constantinople, the Djeridei Sharkieh, under date the 3/15 December 1886. [↑]