'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎596] (663/714)

596
PERSIA
ment that was sent against the Yomut Turkomans near Astrabad
in 1889, is said to have borne its due share in the general
ignominy. The men supply their own horses, but receive an extra
allowance of 100 hrans per annum for ' wear and tear' of animal.
Barracks 1 and stabling are provided at the Government cost. The
privates of the Muhajer regiment receive pay and rations to the
annual value of 655 hrans (181. 14s.); those of the Bumi regiment
to that of 535 Jcrans (15Z. 6s.). The subalterns, non-commissioned
officers, and privates receive also per annum one uniform of
European cloth, one uniform of Persian woollen stuff, two uniforms
of thin cotton, and one pair of boots, amounting in all to an
annual value of 100 krans. Their arms and accoutrements, viz.,
Berdan rifle, sword, saddle, and bridle, are also furnished by the
State. One of the chief causes of the superior efficiency of these
troops is that the men are paid, from the Persian Treasury it is
true, but through the hands of the Eussian officers. The latter,
however, do not control the promotion, which is a corresponding
source of weakness. I append the foregoing table of the two
regiments. To sum up, the annual cost of the two regiments, if
kept at their full complement, would be as follows :—
Krans Krans
Instructors ... 80 000
8,660
223,940
85,994
68,495
1,200
58,900
58,900
497,429
154,740
85,994
68,495
1,200
58,900
58,900
428,229
Barracks and stables maintenance . . . . . 10 000
1,024,318
or £29,266
Persian barracks are built on the model of caravanserais, and consist of a
number of empty rooms, without windows, but with an extra allowance of door,
on the four sides of large open courtyards. The soldiers have no beds, but sleep
on the floor or on carpets.
Interpreter .....
Regiment I. Pay ....
Rations
Horse allowance
Medicines.
Wear and tear of horses
Uniforms .
Regiment II. Pay ....
Rations
Horse allowance
Medicines .
Wear and tear of horses
Uniforms .