Page 460 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

86 TER3IAN GULP ADMINISTRATION REPORT
Of internal disturbances, as has been already said, Kerman lias been
remarkably free. There is said to be a nest of Democrats in Rafsinjan, ami
at times reports of secret meetings and plots have been rife, but, while a
watch has be-in kept and enquiries made from time to time, uo necessity to
toko any decisive measures lias arisen. In Ram also there bavo boon pcoplo
who havo made it their business to spread false reports of Turk victories and
who arc said to rcceivo their inspiration from ^ Kerman, but there the
situation lias been oven less serious than in Rafsinjan. While a passable
semblance of unity of purpose among the Governing Authorities and the Con­
sulate in Kerman can bo maintained, there is littlo to be feared from the
Democrats and pro-Turk9 whether in the city itself or in tho Districts.
Since tho return of tho British tho working of tho various Governraont
departments has fallen much more within the purview of His Majesty’s Con­
sulate than in past years. The initiative in this lias come from the Persian
Authorities who lovo to disburden themselves of responsibilities by consulting
the Consulate and demanding “instructions'* or an “ opinion” from it on
every conceivable question.
Inforraation’of every kind, except with regard to personal interests and
sohemes, is given freely. Unfortunately the mission is a serious one and
much vigilance lias to be exercised in order to avoid becoming a tool of pri­
vate policy or ambition. His Majesty’s Consul has aimed at keeping clear
of what does not affect British interests and of plying the unexceptionable
part of adviser, rather than that of dictator. The maximum of useful result
is probably in reality to he obtained in this way. Thus the removal of the
Zahir-ul-Huzur from the Governorship of Rafsinjan was secured without its
ever having been actually suggested, while the dismissal of the Muhtashim-ud-
Daulah from Baft was delayed till lie came to terms with the Governor-Gene­
ral, by which time, as it happened, His Majesty’s Consul himself was prepared
to acquiesce in his removal. Many dismissals could and might well be effect­
ed if there was any hope of obtaining less objectionable incumbents. A caso
in point is the Adl-us-Sultan who has for years maladministered to his own
profit that expensive, corrupt and thoroughly inefficient body the Qarasui'an,
or Road Police, which imposes an annual burden of 60,000 tomans on tho
local finances. The South Persia Rifles have already taken over the adminis­
tration of the Qarasuran, and the funds allotted for them, on the Kerman-
Bandar Abbas road between Kerman and Daulatabad. As the powers and
organization of the South Persia Rifles grow, that force will, it is to be hoped,
by degrees oust aud replace the Qarasuran everywhere.
The most important of the Administration Departments is undoubtedly
the Revenue Department. On it depends
Roronoo Department.
the supply of funds for all the service,
and however funds may be misapplied they are no less necessary in Persia
than elsewhere. "Whatever other obscure sources of revenue they may have,
officials will not work without their official salaries. The collection of the
revenue during the past year has been more than usually unsatisfactory. In
the early part of the year the Government of the Province was practically
abeyance. AsadulJah Khan, Kurdistani, who had been appointed Head of the
Revenue Department, arrived in the middle of the disturbances and was
unable to exercise his functions, and when the situation cleared up with the
arrival of General Sykes he was recalled from Tehran and the Banan-ud-
Daulah was appointed in h;s stead. Tho Banan carried on for a fow months
fairly efficiently when he in turn learnt that he was to give place again to
Kurdisteni and, as is usual" in such cases, spent the remainder of his time in
filling or replenishing bis pockets. His Majesty’s Consul opposed this change
as highly undesirable in principle and because there was a good deal of low1*
opposition to Kurdist mi, but without success. The Banan left in November
and the Shaikh«ul-Mulk held acting charge until Kurdistani’s arrival*
January 1917. Kurdistani is a man of action, energy, and pluok, and what-
erer other objects ho may keep in view, he is certainly anxious to make hjs
Department efficient and not afraid of the enmity which that must entam
The end of the presont financial year will bo a very difficult period, but it
hoped that it may be possible to start tho next one with a clean slate.

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