Page 346 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

46 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY
small tribe to-morrow, a position he has always to consider. Thus his only
object is to collect as much money as he can with safety. As far as for­
eigners arc concerned, he might as well not be there for he absolutely refuses
all responsibility for the past, a matter with which 1 have dealt under local
administration.
There is little doubt that a Constitution would be welcomed again by
the 'bulk of the people though they arc usually afraid to say so. Even the
officials tell me, when in private, that it is the only solution of the question,
that everyone, except a few who now have the power, really wants it, and
that there is no question but that it must come. There" is, however, a
general scepticism as to Persians being able to re-organise the country without
the assistance of Europeans.
Turco.IVraian There has been no development of this dispute within this district
frontier
dispute. during the year. Baneh is still occupied by the Turks.
Imperial The position, with regard to debts of the Imperial Bank of Persia, is
Bank of
Persia. considerably better than when last year’s report was written. Many debts
have been paid in, some have been regularised and others have been partly
paid. At the same time, bad debts remain. Ismail Khan, the former cashier
of the Bank, is still in Kermanshah, carrying on his business as a farmer and
contractor, the English stores is practically closed, which is as well, for its
condition shed no lustre on the name it held.
Mr. S’oanc, Manager of the Bank, carried off a Roman Catholic woman,
formerly a servant of the Consulate, when he was ordered home on sick
leave. lie took the woman to England with him and the husband lodged a
complaint at Tehran, which however Mr. Soane met by absolute denial.
The Roman Catholic priest made a complaint to me, upon my forwarding
which, Mr. Soane was called upon to resign his position in the Bank and
is now at Constantinople. This official has always given trouble and his
departure will be a relief to everyone. Nevertheless, his conduct and disgrace
are unfortunate, for he is an oriental scholar of a very high order.
Russian Mr. Pinne of the Russian Bank arrived here from Tehran on the 29th
Bank.
August in order to open a branch at Kermanshah. He stayed about two
months and appointed to be in charge one Mr. Aghans, an Armenian,
originally employed in the Customs and, afterwards, by the Imperial Bank
of Persia. Mr. Soane and Mr. Aghans did not get on together, the result
being that the latter was dismissed. Mr. Aghans, who speaks both French
and English, was for a long time in India, and has travelled a good deal.
Tho American
Mission and Mr. and Mrs. Stead of the American Mission have been working in
the British Kermanshah throughout the year. This Consulate protects the Mission for
ami Foreizn
Bible Society. the American Legation as a matter of courtesy. We have made every effort
to recover for Mr. Stead the value of the horses and property of which he was
robbed in May as noted under the heading “ political,” but so far without
success.
Mr. Irrsich, a German employd of the British and Foreign Bible Society,
accompanied by his wife and daughter, visited Kermanshah, en route to
Baghdad, in November, remaining here from the 10th of that month till the
7th December. The colporteur of this Society, one Mirza Ephraim, is always
at loggerheads with the American Mission. His removal would be desirable.
I have had several times to act as mediator.
Weather and Notwithstanding that very little snow fell last winter and consequently
crops. many springs ran dry, the crops did very well, the price for barley falling at
one time to 15 krans per 650 lbs. and that of wheat 30 krans for the same
quantity. Bhoosa—chopped straw—was purchaseable at 10 krans.
The year had a very mild winter and, perhaps, in consequence the
summer was exceptionally hot; the quantity of stored ice being short of
the normal gave out in the hot weather, but, since there is permanent snow
on the hills, the loss in such a case is not very severe, beyond that the price
rises a little.