Page 16 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920

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6 PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORT
As tlio close of the year, with the advent to Kerman of an energetic
Bakhtinri Governor, the prospects of security on the main road were somewhat
more favourable; but it is difficult to hope for much permanent result from the
well-intentioned but spasmodic efforts of successive Governors-General hamp.
ered as they are by universal anarchy and lack of funds and innocent of any
definite policy or aim.
The end of 1911 found the situation in the Kerman province still as
unsatisfactory as it could well be, and
Kermio.
conditions in Kerman itself specifically
disquieting. Local authority practically did not exist, the bazaars were closed
in excited protest against the recent action of Russia in hanging certain Mullahs
at Tabriz; national volunteers were ostentatiously parading ; the Russian Con­
sulate completely, and the British Consulate in some measure, boycotted.
The arrival of a new Governor-General, however, who started on satis­
factory lines aDd inaugurated his regim6 by scattering a powerful local faction
whioh had been responsible for a good deal of local anarchy, caused a detente ;
the bazaars were soon opened and cordial relations between Persian officials
and Consulates established. But upon conditions prevailing outside Kerman,
His Excellency’s arrival had little influence, nor had he the military or
financial equipment to enable him to take any effective action to ameliorate
the situation.
All through the early part of the year caravan traffic from Bandar Abbas
was susp3nded~and the post from both sides maintained only with the most
precarious irregularity.
Baluchistan was simultaneously in a state of turmoil, the ruling Baluch
Khans paying no attention whatever to any central authority and practically
parcelling out the country between themselves and appropriating the revenue
thereof.
In March, Bahadur-es-Soltaneh, ostensibly acting on behalf of the Gov­
ernor-General, left Bam with a large force for the purpose of collecting revenue
in several districts, but he and Iih following realising the Governor-General’s
weak position found it an easy transition from the collection of revenue to general
plunder, and on being called to task from Kerman, returned insolent answers
end went into open rebellion. Collecting a large force at Baft he started to
march on Kerman with the idea of expelling the Prince Governor and looting
the town.
The only semblance of force which the Governor-General had to oppose to
them consisted of 4.0 tufangchis of his own guard, and a few Infantry, and by
the middle of May the rebels had reached Fathabad, eight or nine miles from
Kerman and threatened the town.
At this stage the Governor-General, unsupported from Tehran, and with
totally inadequate means of maintaining his position, or the safety of foreigners,
threw in his hand and took bast in the British Consulate, on the 16th May.
During the night following, His Majesty's Consul was instructed by His
Majesty’6 Minister to bring the Governor-General to the telegraph and there
an exchange of views took place, as the result of which the Minister of the
Interior, on behalf of the Persian Government, promised the Governor-General
the necessary funds and official support, on his undertaking to resume his
duties. Thi6 he hesitatingly agreed to do, and under the guidance of Colonel
Haig, who practically assumed charge of the situation, eventually summoned up
courage to attack the rebels and succeeded in breaking up their force. He even
eventually effected the surrender and execution of two of the ringleaders, MIrza
Husain Khan and Mirza Qasiin.
The courage and judgment with which His Majesty's Consul coped with
the difficult situation into which he had been thrust by the incapacity of the
Governor-General received the high commendation of His Majesty’s Minister,
and Lieutenant-Colonel Haig was shortly afterwards honoured with a Com­
panionship of St. Michael and St. George for his services.
The Amin-i-Azam was only able to hold his position for a few weeks
longer and was dismissed in July, from which date until Colonel Haig proceeded