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220. Major Burton had previously travelled in Persia, especially the
Bnkhtiari and Lur Provinces and submitted roports to the Intelligence Branch,
lie was otherwise considered as in every way fittod for the duties required of a
Vico-Consul in Arabigtan. llo was accordingly appointed to act for Mr. McDouall,
and Colouol Kembull was informed by tho Government of India that lie had been
specially selected for tho post with a viow to his entering into relations with
the Lur and Bnkhtiari chiefs and that they desired to be kept fully acquainted
with his movements and the local informa­
Ibid No. 483.
tion ho might collect by means of weekly
diaries (Lottcr No. 17G9-E., dated 6th August 1903, Confidential.)
221. The financial effect of tho proposal was understood to be approximate­
ly a9 follows : viz , that, for tho purpose of calculating the extra cost of
the arrangement, there should be deducted from the proposod salary, which
for eight mouths at the rato of £800 a year, would amouut to £533*6-8—
(1) Mr. McDouall’s office allowance at tho rate of £140 a year for eight
months, or £93-6-8.
(2) Any deduction that may ho made uuder Consular rules from Mr.
McDouall’s salary while on leave, which would apparently
amount to approximately £36-1-0.
The result would he a sum of £103-10-0, which would remain for equal
division between the Imperial and Indian Exchequers (India Office to Foreign
Office, dated 6th May 1903).
(iii) Appointment of Lieutenant Lorimer Vice-Consul for Arabistan, December 1903.
222. The duties of the Vice-Consul at Mohammerah wore mainly of a
commercial nature. But there were now
fi«cr«t E., Aogo.t 1901, Nos. 400-419 (No. 420).
factors developing in Arabistan, which
required the presence at Ahwaz of a Consular Officer, who would have to deal
with delicate semi-military and political questions and who, for this purpose,
would have to combine military and political experience. It was, therefore,
decided by His Majesty’s Government, on the recommendation of the Govern­
ment of India, to create a separate Vice-Consulate at Ahwaz, which was to be
filled by a military officer from India (see correspondence between the India
Office and the Foreign Office, dated 6th, 12th and 18th June 1903).
223. On Major Burton’s appointment to act as Vico-Consul at Mohammerah
the centre of tho Vice-Consul’s activities shifted from Mohammerah to Ahwaz
and the sphere of his duties, which had been mainly commercial, began to
embrace important political duties, which have been described above. Alajor
Burton entered in his duties in Juno 1903, and he was to rovert to his military
duties in India in February 1901. It was, therefore, important to appoint an
officer for the Vice-Consulate at Ahwaz, who could take -up tho duties of Major
Burton. Such an officer the Government of India found in Lieutenant D. L. B«
Lorimer, a probationer in the Political Department, who had souio experience of
similar duties in the North-West Frontier of India.
224. Lieutenant Lorimer was appointed Political Assistant, third, grade,
and Vice-Consul for Arabistan with effect from 21th December 1903 (Notifica­
tion No. 219-E A., dated 2nd January 1904).
223. In Foreign Department letter No. 1741-E.-A., dated 2Sth May 1904,
the following charges on account of tho new appointment, establishment and. re­
curring expenditure wore sanctioned :—
Per mensem.
Rs. a. p.
Pay of Vice-Consul • It 500 0 0
Local allowance l«« • •• 200 0 0
Sumptuary allowance 60 0 0
Exchange Compensation 81 4 0
Clerks.
1 Hirza 100 0 0
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