Page 17 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

RESIDENCY FOU THE YEAR 1D06-1D0C. 7
Similnry, in our Consulate, Mnjor P. Molesworth Sykes, C.M.G., who
creatod the post in 1894- ond with some intervals of leave, had ever sinoe then
obly maintained British interest and prestige within his sphere, was translated
to Meshed in the spring of 1905 and was relieved by Captain L. B. Haworth
in May. The latter again, after six months’ residence, and just aa be had
acquired a satisfactory grip of the work, had to return to India in November,
and was in turn relieved by Licuteuaut-Colonel W. H. M. Stewart, who
remained until the end of the year.
Under such changing conditions the poriod reviewed oould hardly provide
a record of a very progressive nature.
Captain Haworth, however, during his few months’ connection with the
Consulate, applied himself zealously to
Sell cm •• for road-guards.
the all important question of. providing
a greater measure of security for the Bunder Abbas-Kerman caravan route
and before leaving evolved a scheme for the provision of the road-guards,
which had the prima facie approval of the Government of India and was
subject to the consideration of Bis Majesty’s Government at the end of the
year.
Another prudent and important measure was the inauguration at the
instance of the Government of India of a
Inauguration of n Vice-Consulato at Dam.
Vice-Consulat^ at Bam, which had for its
objects the advance of our trading and political iot.erests in the neighbourhood
of this important stage on the Bunder Abbas-Kerman strategical Hue; and
the planning of, or co-operation in, measures for the suppression of lawlessness
on the caravan routes.
The first incumbent of the post was an Indian Muhammadan, Khan
Bahadur Ashgar Ali, originally an employ^ of the Government of India
Survey, who had originally come to Persia some years before with Mr. Tate of
that Department, and having after the conclusion of the latter’s mission
remained on duty with Major Sykes, had been doing useful work under that
officer’s orders and had. gained in the process an intimate knowledge of the
country, language and people which was considered to render him deserving
and qualified for permanent employment under the Foreign Department.
He joined his appointment in June after aeccuBpanvizig the Newcomen
Gom.nw*Te«ai Mission throughout their
Dc-it h of Vice-Can,nL
four; fcaa was unfortunately not destined
to retain it long, as he died of pneumonia or pleurisy on the llth October 1905.
His place was not immediately filled, but just before the end of the year
the appointment of a young British
Appointment« f Lieutenant O^Drie.
officer as an experimental measure was
intimated by the Government of India; and Lieutenant G. D. Ogilvie, the
officer appointed, shortly afterwards left Quetta for his post overland.
Kerman itself was in a state of chronic ferment for the first eight or nine
months of the year owing to semi-religious
Riots in Kerman.
dissensions between the Sheikhi and
Balasiri sections of the populace. These for a long time flourished unchecked
owing to the absence of permanent authority, but were eventually extinguished
by rigorous action on the part of His Highness Zafar-es-Sultaneh against the
fanatical clergy, who were the main instigators of the disorder. Colonel
8tewart considers that His Highness’s action and its effective result
demonstrate, firstly, that the Kermatis are not fanatically incliued, and,
secondly, that the tiresome practice of taking **bast” or sanctuary can on
occasion be set aside by a strong man without exciting an outburst of "popular
indignation.
Apart from the above, the only other event deserving of special notice,
was the visit of the Armenian “ Prince **
Bosnia Conm«-rC4*l Minion.
Anatouni of the Russian Department of
Commerce ; a protdge of the Grand Duke Michael, who has made two lengthv
tours in Persia with the object of finding openings for Russian goods and
enterprise.