Page 16 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

6 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL
ITT.- Korn.an*
Bhfth. This post -was inaugurated in 1904 as a Vioe-Consulate, but was raised to
the dignity of a Consulate soon after the arrival of the first incumbent,
Captain H. A. K. Gough, on its being
Ioaugurntion of Consulate.
ascertained that the Russian representa­
tive enjoyed full Consular rank. The appointment must be regarded, from
the point of view of surroundings, ns the most desirable in Persia among those
manned by officers of the Government of India. The place itself is peculiarly
favoured by nature; has an almost European climate and is the centre of a
rich grain-producing district as well as tho focus for incoming and outgoing
caravan trade via Baghdad.
Our representative is additionally fortunate in the fact that the liberality
of the Government of India has made it possible for us to secure on his
recommendation, for the location of the British Consulate, the most desirable
residential site in Kormanshah, advantageously situated as it is in a fine
garden and orchard. Rernianshnh is a spot which must continue to increase
in importance as communications improve and civilisation advances, and it is
satisfactory to know that a site has been acquired which under any future
conditions of expansion, must always remain a central and commanding one.
The Consular sphere of the post includes the provinces of Kermanshah,
Hamadan, Kurdistan and Alalayar, among which Kermanshah is the most
important from the point of view of our interests. Politically, what
work there is at present is connected chiefly with the country to
the north of Kermansbah, and appertains to His Majesty’s Legation rather
than the Bushire Residency or the Government of India. The latter’s
interest lies in the fact that Kermanshah
Indian interests.
affords a market of great promise for
British and British Indian goods imported tia the Persian Gulf and Baghdad.
The town furthermore lies on the great highway for the passage of pilgrims
from northern and western Persia to the holy cities of Kerbela ar.d Nejef and
swarms of these devoted travellers pass up and down the road during the year
in number often exceeding 10,000 souls.
The local politics of the neighbourhood having, as before stated, little
interest for the Government of India, it follows that reports received from
the Consulate do not afford much material for a political review and the
contents of Captain Gough’s report are necessarily in a great measure fiscal
and commercial.
When the appointments at Ah waz and Kermanshah were first instituted,
it was contemplated that one touring
Consular Surgeon.
commissioned medical officer of the Indian
Medical Service would be able to administer to the needs of both Consulates,
but owing to the disturbed state of the intervening country and difficulty of
communication, this is likely to prove impossible. Meanwhile the Surgeon
has had his head-quarters at Kermanshah. Captain T. S. Beauchamp Williams,
I.M.S., the officer appointed, having spent the spring of 1905 in company with
His JRoyal Highness the Ferman Ferma in his so-called operations against the
Dirakwand, returned to head-quarters in May 1905 and soon afterwards
proceeded on short leave.
Just before the close of the year, the Ferman Ferma was himself
transferred to Kerman as Governor-General.
Captain Gough’s observations as to the necessity and profitability of improv­
ing the road between Kermanshab. and
Improvement of main rood.
Kasr>i-Shirin aie deserving of attention.
IV.—B>n»ao. The Government of this important province, as well as our own represen­
tation within it, has been considerably
Frequent change*.
handicapped during the year by frequent
changes of personnel. Thus in the former cane no less than four distinguished
subjects of His Majesty the Sbah have dispensed the amenities of adminstra-
tion to the unfortunate inhabitants of the province; His Highness the Burn­
ed •Dowleh ; His Highness Zafar-es-Sultaneh ; the Adil*es-8ultan* h; and finally»
just at the close of the year His Royal Highness the Ferman Forma.