Page 207 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

FOR THE YRA.R 1913. 65
fn liis early days Mr. Bruggmann, Agent of the Persian Carpot Company
r rnian)» announced his intention of ousting Mirza HabibullaU Khan, but he
jid not inako good his threat.
Charge of the Russian Consulate was held throughout the year by the
Acting Consul, Dr. Chiriaieff. He has
Tlic Kusninn Coneal&te.
talked continuously of his approaching
lief, but, though a young Russian doctor arrived in Decomber, there were no
Kerm
*IlS of a new Consul. Kerman has, it would seem, a very bad name in the

w
it
an

has,
services, though it would be a paradise for a Russian in search of rest
in a good climate.
The only affair in which the Russian Consulate played an important part
ffJls the case of Mirza Ali Muhammad, Mujtaiud. Otherwise, beyond
occasionally harbouring malcontents and then doing nothing for them, it was
l0 all appearance quite inert, partly perhaps the result of Doctor Chiriaieff’s
being something of a chronic invalid, and a confirmed recluse.
Relations between the Russian and British Consulates and Consuls were
entirely friendly throughout the year.
Soon after his arrival, His Majesty’s Consul’s attention was attracted by
the proceedings of a gang of Baluchis who
Arm* Traffic.
were registered in the Consulate as British
subjects. Freauent complaints were brought against them of swindling, and
it was found that they made their livelihood mainly by trafficking in arms.
The case was made worse by the fact that they were in close intimacy with the
Consulate iclerk, who posed as tlieir patron, and was the son-in-law of one of
their number. This clerk, with a disreputable Persian friend, bad carried on
negotiations on behalf of the Amir Mufakham for the purchase of arms in
Ispahan, without the knowledge of the Acting Consul, Mr. Newman of the
ImperialJBank of Persia, and the Balueh is were tiie active agents in the business.
Iu the end the boxes of ammunition purchased were found, on arrival at Yezd,
to contain stones But it is unnecessary to pursue this story. Ascertaining
that the Baluchis were thoroughly bad characters, His 'Majesty’s Consul ob­
tained permission to take action under the Persian Coast and Islands* Order in
Council, and proceeded to demand heavy security from them not to engage in
further dealing in arms. On their failing to produce the required security he
passed an order of deportation against them. Some difficulty was experienced
in putting it into effect as they had large outstanding debts, and succeeded in
making away with various assets, including arms, which they were known to
possess They were however eventually able to satisfy their creditors, and
loft for Bandar Abbas under Persian escort, en route to Karachi. The whole
business gave much trouble, and took nearly four months to bring to a termi­
nation.
It is believed that the British nationality of some of tho seven men
deported was questionable, and that they had originally been registered in the
Consulate at the instance of the clerk with a view to enjoying its (unconscious)
protection in their various nefarious practices—arms dealing, cheating, and
forging “sanads” for claims. Had they been officially Afghans and not
British Indians, it is very unlikely that they would have come to grief and
been deported.
While this was going on, a party of Sistanis were arrested at Bam for
carrying contraband opium, and were deprived of a number of rifles which
they had in their possession. They denied their guilt, took “bast” in the
Telegraph Office, aud claimed to be ontitled to British protection. On investi­
gation it was found that two of their number had old 14 rahdaria ” from His
Majesty’s Consulate, Sistan, certifying that they were in the employment of
British Indian subjects and entitled to assistance. For these two men His
Majesty's Consul obtained the restoration of the bulk of their property. This
party appears to bo one which had had dealings with tho Baluchis, subse­
quently deported, in Kerman, and had claimed the help of His Majesty’s
Consul in this and other dubious transactions.
Later other Sistanis turned up armed with similar credentials. His
Majesty’s Consul, who had already been in communication with His Majesty’s
Consul, Sistan, again referred to that officer, who asked that the documents
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