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Article Page | Review page | Photo Album Page | Links | Contact Me | Archives 1995, Volume 1, No 3-4,  pages 18-21

     General Agha Putrus has been a legendary name in many publications, but there always have been too many different opinions about his role in the history .In most publications his portrait is based on eyewitness accounts without any documentary evidence, or writer's subjectivity in the presentation of the general's role and the period events.

     It is evident that the most active period for general Agha Putrus was when he contacted Russia's official representatives in Persia, actually these contacts were well documented and could be found in the archives for Russia's foreign affairs (A VPR). Scanning the documents and taking into account that the outstanding image of general Agha Putrus was largely defined by the Russian political interests at different historical phases, we obviously could get the whole picture of the time in question and of the role of Agha Putrus alike. Due to the archives the monolithic image of a hero is enriched with internal contradictions. Now we can see all his weak points ~d even errors, his unprecedented mimicry from his extremely high courage and bravery, ambition and adventurism to strongest fear, humiliation and impotence. This objectivity not only allows for a true personal image of general Agha Putrus, but also for a definitive account of the events in the most tragic periods of the Assyrian history.

    The actual review was prepared by Joseph Zaya a philosophy post graduate student at the Moscow State University named after M. V . Lomonosov .In his work the author only used the materials from the archives (Persian desk "B" and political department G.A.).

Editorial

GENERAL AGHA PUTRUS: BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

     The first mentioning of the name of Petr Ellov in the Russian archives dates back to the year of 1909 shortly after the Russian army troops entered the Northern Persia. The Russian emperor's advisor Mr. Sablin cabled from Teheran to the Russian foreign department on the 30th of May, "...the authorities of British Columbia have offered a reward for information about Petr Ellov who is wanted to prosecute for repeated swindle. This person, a very phony figure, is an agent for Turkey in Urmia. He is a great plotter and has a very fatal influence on Turkish general consul in Tavriz. I think it will be appropriate to make a point across in Konstantinople that the Turkish agent in Urmia is the swindler wanted in British Columbia and if so that he should be made to leave Urmia."

     In less than a month, on 22nd of June, the Russian foreign minister A P. Izvolsky would make his point that British Columbia should urge Ottoman's Port hand over this fugitive who has acted most adversely in Urmia area especially among Kurds as Russians suggested.

     Petros Ellov also known as Peter Ellov, Agha Putrus and Petros Khan had lived by this time in North America, returned to Turkey and did what any Assyrian would not be able to make in Turkey, that is he was appointed to Turkish vice-consul in Urmia, deputy governor in Shemdinan and even elected member of the Turkish Par- lament. But soon P. Ellov would break off his office activity and turn to work for Russia. In Russia he actually was appointed to represent Patriarch Mar-Shimun and Turkish Nestorians alike, as well as he was taken to do a supernumerary job interpreters at the Russian consular section in Urmia, as Russians wished to use his influence and connections in Northern Persia and Turkish Kurdistan.

     The year of 1912 saw regular raids of Kurds into Tergavar until the Kurdish squads of Pyro-bek and Badyr-Khan took up arms from Turkey and launched large-scale raids into the Assyrian parts of Tergavar a year later. Russian foreign minister) S .D. Sazonov in his cable to Teheran wrote that, "I admit that clashes with Kurds must be avoided if possible however, we cannot refuse to protect Christians in the Muslims East. In particular, Christians will be destroyed immediately by Kurds in areas where Russia would probably withdraw its support."

     The minister also made his point that "in this respect consuls will obviously be given no general instructions. Therefore troops should be used only in emergency".

     Any way some fights did happen on 14th of June 1913. Therefore the head of the Russian troop in Azerbadjan tried to find a way out of the situation concerning Assyrians in Tergavar in his report. " As a possibility to lead Aissors out of the trouble I think we should take the following measures,

a) Give enlisted Aissors arms and ammunition up to 1,000 pieces.

b) Separate Aissors from Kurds so that they would only stay on in Assyrian inhabited areas. This measure must be taken in no time. Local consuls will definitely join to work it out, otherwise no Christians could be secured from Kurds in such a vast region where Aissors are mixed with Kurds".

     The report also said, "Petros- Khan (Aissor-born) was recommended by the consul along with holy father Sergiy the head of the orthodox mission in Urmia to be sent to help colonel Dydenko in administrative and economic matters".

     Agha Putrus soon suggested his plan to relocate Assyrians. This plan also based on the transfer principle and organization of ethnically homogeneous settlements was more radical in its conception. In February 1914 he laid it down again in a secret message to the Russian government.

"In my opinion the Russian government will regret if they do not see to it at least on three major points:

1. Gather Christian highlanders in Baradost and Tergavar leaving other territories to Kurds.

 2. Organize a military squad to check the border for Russia with military submission to a group of persons loyal to Russia.3  Purchase with government funds or rent villages situated between Khoy and Soudzhbulak (at least in parts)".

     As Agha Putrus laid it down in this} document Russia should inherit the territories of Turkey and Persia and strengthen its military position in Kurdistan. The Russian empire, as was stressed, has a very high potential in the realization of this plan,

     "There are thousands of villagers who are able to carry arms. Besides, the villagers have been serfs in generations. Therefore buying to own villages you are buying warriors as well. In these areas there are: enormous mineral resources in the mountains. And yet the money will be returned, from crop revenues over 3 or 4 years". ,

     It is noteworthy that Agha Putrus was enjoying the influence as well as patronage from bishop Sergiy, the head of the Russian orthodox mission at the time. Bishop many times petitioned for funds for Agha Putrus and his designation to the Russian consular office with secured Russian citizenship. ; Bishop Sergiy wrote to one officer from Russian foreign ministry, William de Klemm that.

     "Agha Petrus Ellov has been asking for my petition to grant him a Russian pass- port. He has been de facto a non subject to , Turkey, for he has never entered the country in the past 13 years. Moreover he does not wish to stay a legal subject to Turkey any longer. The acquisition of the Russian passport would tie him up closer to Russia and help him work for the Russian cause more effectively. Please, bring this information to the notice of Mr. minister of foreign affairs".

     Shortly after bishop Sergiy wrote to W. de Klemm on 13th February 1914 that P .Ellov should be better taken to Saint Petersburg for he could be very useful in joining Mar Shimun to orthodox Christian religion. He also added that P .Ellov was worthy to be decorated with a Russian order. In this connection Agha Putrus filed a petition for decoration adding that he had three orders already namely the Turkish decoration of third degree called Mejediye, then the Persian Shiro-Khurshid of third degree and the Pope sign of distinction for his contribution to propaganda of Christian ideas. It was followed by the sacred synod prosecutor's formal request to Russian foreign minister to find out if his highness emperor would be positive about P .Ellov decoration with Saint Stanislav order of third degree "making his point that this petition was initiated to give P .Ellov his dues for the services he had done for the Russian orthodox mission". But the reward was delayed, and Agha Putrus decided to apply directly to Mr. W. de Klemm on 14th of June 1914 to help in this matter as "everybody heard about this reward and if they know it never happened, they will be disappointed ".

     Furthermore, Agha Putrus notes that "during the holidays I met some guys who used to be my subordinates before, but now they wear a uniform and decorations as well. As to me I have to go public wearing civilian's clothes without any signs of distinction. It is not fair, I think for I am a well-known person, and all my friends and people around would not like it, too". This dissatisfaction evidently was in some way provoked by the fact that the famous Kurdish leader Ismail Agha Simko had al- ready been decorated with the Russian order of Saint Ann of second degree even though he would be called "a betrayer of Russian interests" only three years later, in 1917.

     "There is a telegram from the chief of the Russian consular station in Urmia to Russian foreign department where it said, the contacts of the Russian consular station in Urmia with patriarch Mar-Shimun were maintained through Agha Putrus.

     "Mar-Shimun sent here a trusted person with a request to commission missionaries in view of a very difficult situation and great danger from the Turkish government. Peter Ellov in passage of Mar-Shimun's request wants to know the time of departure for missionaries just to reassure Mar- Shimun".

     In April 1914 bishop Sergiy demanded that Agha Putrus should adopt orthodox Christian belief for he always tried to avoid this transformation seeking help and assis- tance from Mr. W. de Klemm, vice-consul Vvedensky and colonel Andreevsky. In one of the letters Agha Putrus tried to give his own account of the situation.

     "These are circumstances where I am not able to do any services to Russian diplomacy which I favour more than my life. And if I obey to this unexpected command, I am afraid that I shall cause some political complications. If I do this, I shall have to make presbyters (or Americans), Lutherans ( or English) or Roman Catholics ( or Frenchmen). Violation of their rights will be the best possible compliment for their governments against Russian diplomacy. And it was all just for one selfish person ". Any way he had to adopt orthodox religion soon after he visited Saint Petersburg. Following this, vice-consul Vvedensky wrote:

     "Being aware of the inevitable decision strengthened by bishop's pressure Petr Ellov then was only asking for one thing. Actually he was the trusted man of the patriarch of all Nestorians in Turkey, Mar Shimun, so he did not want his future adoption of orthodox religion to be largely known lest Turkish Syrians should not be confused before they knew of their own adoption decided in Saint Petersburg".

     Seeking to patch up the authority of Agha Putrus some famous newspapers like "Kokhva" and "Kala D'Shrara" joined together in the campaign. Therefore the latter published Agha Putrus' public address. "Dear Syrians. I am grateful to you for your sharing my gladness when I was enjoying kindness given by the sacred Russian empire. And now I am glad to welcome all Syrians to bring our love and our lives to our dearest Russia ".

     But very soon his major hopes were smashed. The withdrawal of Russian troops from Urmia in late 1914 brought about repressive measures against local Christians. Agha Putrus escaped from this ordeal for he was in Tiflis with his family at the time. But despite he perceived it, he continued to believe in a possibility of God's good pro- vision for Assyrians for their sacrifices. In January 1915 Agha Putrus wrote to atop governmental official in Saint Petersburg whom he met during his visit to the Russian capital.

     "After I returned from Petrograd I wanted to be highly instrumental in the Russian policy in Persia, as I tried to bring local Christians closer to Russia. For the Russian cause I turned to propaganda of Russian activity in Persia on the local circuit through special information leaflets or papers. A large number of local supporting groups were set up to disseminate and spread this information as well as relevant thoughts or ideas to local community. It is obvious that local Christians who were eager to serve to Russia would sacrifice their lives as readily as Russian themselves. They were fighting tooth and nail against Kurds in favor of Russian image and prestige in the East. Therefore local influential Christians organized with their own funds combat squads to support Russians in all corners of Urmia. In this situation rather favorable for Russians they took leave from Persia so unexpectedly, actually with- out any early notice of the action. All of the Russians including the army troops, Russian consul, orthodox mission and other offices moved to the north destroying what was created in a joint effort.

    .... some military heads of the squads who have been fighting along the Syrians now rest in grief. They are disappointed because they were given no notice before Russians decided to go. Their repentance is very hard as they found themselves due to Russian politicians in Urmia in an extremely adverse situation.

     ...ordeals and misfortunes that fell upon our people allow me to let you know that the whole nation considers me the cause of it all. Everybody blames me alone. I believe that you will not miss to consider my, petition ".

     Back in Persia again Agha Putrus managed to arrange a meeting with high officials in October 1915 seeking permission to visit Petrograd or Tiflis. The newly appointed vice-consul B. Nikitin1 gave an answer to the inquiry from N. De Klemm.

     "Ellov wants to play an inappropriate role. This figure cannot be useful for me. But anyway he could not be laid off now because he would probably take to the enemy. I do not think his future trip to Ti is will be quite opportune or good for a purpose. I think he just pursues his own interest when he speaks for his own nation.

     I shall make a report on that".

     Through the correspondence between Agha Putrus and Mr. B. Nikitin it is obvious to see a negative attitude of the latter. Therefore Agha Putrus is quite straight for- ward and critical without an extremely pathetic loyalty as it was before. In his letter dated from October 18, 1915 entitled as "Disarmament of Christians is a great deficit of the Russian diplomacy", he points to the situations where the Russian consulate authority is absolutely blemish.

"1) Taking into consideration that if Russia has not disarmed its own enemies like Kurds and other Muslims, then premature disarmament of local Christians will inevitably diminish the role of Russia in this land.

2) Being at war Christians were merciless and cruel with their families, as they had to go and leave them no bread or clothes because they paid Muslims dealers 100 or 200 rubbles for one rifle.

     Therefore they suffer from cold and hunger now. Yet Muslims come to plunder them all the way.

     In Russia will start to disarm them now, Assyrians will have to obey or sell it back to Muslims etc. Muslims then will buy back all weapons again.

3) You ought to remember that these weapons are in the hands of courageous skillful Christian warriors who took up the arms in order to save their lives and serve to Russians at war just the way they did in Kurdistan and in Urmia. And if they will be disarmed, then these Christians who always have been friendly to Russia will eventually lose their love for Russia any way.

4) The courageous gunmen of Mar- Shimun who ever fought to the last had bought them arms with their own money. They never took to stripping anyone in search of arms indeed. But now they have gathered a lot of weapons, and what if some part of it would go to Kurds after all?

5) Showing your unkind attitude to- wards Christians you are bound to lose not only Christians, but also Kurds for they said to each other, if Russian Christians have done so wrong to other Christians extremely loyal to the Russian cause, then what we should expect from them if we have been killing Russian soldiers and officers? Therefore Kurds do not trust you and flee away as Kurdobei did before.

6) The Russian diplomacy would benefit from good relation with all the nations in the area, but as you know it well, Turks, Kurds and Persian remain to be enemies to Russia. And if Christians (Armenians and Syrians) will lose their sympathy for Russia, it will lose all its friends and partners. In the future Russian diplomats will be trying to find the reason why. I am afraid that too many will be held responsible."

     In the follow-up vice-consul B. Nikitin worked out a special report to the third political branch of the Russian foreign department.    In the beginning he points out that due to scarcity of archives he had no possibility to clear up the role of Petr Ellov, why and how he became a supernumerary with a considerable salary (200 rubbles from Russian foreign department and another 200 rubbles from Russian military Department). Furthermore B. Nikitin reports.

     "Paying no attention to his ambitious declarations as well as to hi~ strange spoken allegations to secure the privilege to contact foreign department directly, moreover to his detailed knowledge of the whole region, etc., I gathered information about him. Being born in Baz region of Highland Nestoria, he later picked up some spoken English from missionaries and went to the United States where he allegedly made several thousand dollars through charity funds for his compatriots. P. Ellov was a Turkish consular agent and then he assumed a certain role in the Russian consular activities by as in his own interpretation hiring an office worker called Shakhbender to look at his correspondence.

     I first met this office worker in Mukhandzik where he was an interpreter and a Mar-Shimun's representative with full credentials and authority as well. All Mar- Shimun's misfortunes could be explained by his poor knowledge of languages therefore he had to hire Mr. P .Ellov " .

     This assertion of Mr. Nikitin is quite questionable according to another officer of Russian vice-consular section in Urmia, Mr. Kashin, during the visit of patriarch in Urmia in 1916 Mar Shimun revealed the good knowledge of the Turkish language. Even if Mar-Shimun spoke no English him- self but his sister Surma Khanum who, according to Mr. Olferiev, a Russian diplomat, was his personal secretary and spoke English very fluently. By the way, Mr. Kashin reported that during the meeting between himself, P. Ellov and B. Arsanis on the one hand, and Mar Shimun on the other hand in Urmia, translation was made by B. Arsanis.  As it seems now, Ellov was furthermore selected for other reasons. It was the authority of Agha Putrus that counted then as he was very popular among the locals as well as he was an interesting figure both for Turkey and Russia.

     In addition Mr. Nikitin pointed out that "as being only responsible for the translation work at the meeting Ellov was doing his job without any control so that he could sort out the text he thought useful or suit- able for both parties. In this context he evidently did it only for money or for his own interest at best".

     As his doubts grew, Mr. Nikitin came to the firm decision to disarm the voluntary squad of Agha Putrus, general lieutenant Chernozubov reflected on this decision,

     "I agree that we do not need his gunmen anymore but they should be disarmed only in emergency lest Agha Putrus never leave us for Turkey. This would be extremely unfavorable for us in many aspects"

     W. De Klemm who knew Agha Putrus more closely was more reserved and practical.

     " Agha Putrus is a famous man. His morality leaves much to be desired, but he can be very useful anyway for he is very popular among Nestorians and other locals. He has been some service to us already so I have no objection if you want to use him on and on. I know that if we turn back on him, he could easily change to the Turkish side. But we must be very cautious with him and never trust him in very important matters".

     It is obvious that Agha Putrus at least was aware of negative attitude of Russian authorities to him as they constantly changed their opinions about his personality. And yet despite his bitterness and of - fended pride he continued to hope for the Russian liberation mission in his homeland. It is a pity that shortly after the apocalypse of 1917 the Russian army officers as well as diplomats who would decide to stay in Persia would themselves feel deserted and forgotten by their own country and by God's provision they would together with Assyrians have to think how to escape from fatal destruction.

     The intangible and clumsy attempts of the Russian military command to improve the situation on the Caucasian front in view of a complete chaos and disaster inside Russia led to ill-thought accusations of the allies who had suffered from unnumbered war casualties and losses as well as of the nation who had left the native land for good. The report sent to the third political branch of Russian foreign department from the Russian mission in Teheran on 20 May 1917 said,

     ''as of March 21st  the Russian mission have the honor to report that Petr Ellov's project, a famous adventurer, who changed his convictions many times before seems worthless. The Aissors that Ellov takes care of have proven to be very lazy, phony and criminal as the consul’s report after they have dealt with refugees.

     The idea of forming militia from Aissors was a flop. Finally the relocation of the local Aissor residents in attempt to set up ethnically homogeneous regions could well be an easy method but extremely inappropriate on the part of any self-esteemed authority.

     No-one is likely to win today by spur- ring up tribal disaccord under pretext of sympathy for Christians who love Christ and Russia ".

     Russia was entering anew phase of its history with different ideology and values. Therefore the legendary general \\'ould turn on to the West, but this is a different story and tragedy.

                                                       J . Zaya              S. Ossipov