'Administration Reports 1920-1924' [‎184v] (373/412)

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propaganda in favour of the Sinclair Oil Concession, giving the matter an anti-
British bias. His persistent interference in all local affairs occasionally landed
him in embarrassing situations. Thus his support of the Khawanin family in
their grievances regarding recruiting brought him up against the Officer Com
manding; and he found it often very difficult to keep on good terms at the same
time with the latter and with the Rais-l-X^zmieh. But in general his
position was clear enough. He was on the side of disorder. He kept
in close touch both with the so-called " Committer of Social Democrats " formed
of the leading political extremists; and with various socialistic Societies suck
as the " Anjuman-i-Ranj'bar " (or Association of Labourers) which he urged to
make demands for higher wages from their employers. His wife meanwhile was
equally industrikms teaching Russian—and propaganda—in the Par si school..
"With the autumn, a period of intensive activity began. He tried hard to save
Dargahi from being deported. He plainly took sides against the Firancial
Agent when Kamai-ul-Wizareh visited Kerman and there were constant com
ings and goings between the latter and M. Laktionoff. He caused news to be
broadcasted by the Moscow Wireless damaging to the interests of the Governor^
Oeneral and other moderate official® ; and the G-overnor-General has absolute
proof that through the Russian Legation in Tehran he mad© a determined—and
very nearly successful—attempt to have His Excellency recalled. He bullied
the Karguzar. And when the Pishkar-i-Malieh wag suspended, there is no doubt
that most of the officials were genuinely afraid of him and his mtrigues. The
Governor-General was driven to, send a bitter complaint against Ms interference
in the local affairs to his Government and to expostulate personally with M.
Laktionoff, It was of course useless to do so ¥ The Soviet Consul openly ad
mitted to the Governor-General that as his Government's policy was revolution
throughout the World, interference in the affairs of all countries was a necessary
preliminary, \
Judged by Moscow standards, M. Laktionoff is possibly counted a success
ful Consul. From the point of view of the best interests of the people of Ker
man his intrigues, to a third party, appear to have had a purely pernicious effect.
There are hornets' nests in Kerman—as in most places; and if they are poked
with a stick the wasps will assuredly come forth. It seems to be the Soviet policy
to disturb, and to keep on disturbing them. What Kerman wants is peace,,
orderly progress, decent administration uninterfered with by outsiders. M.
Laklionoff appears anxious to do his best to encourage those who are opposed
to these objects. He takes sides in all disputes; and manages to give to them
a sinister twist which helps to keep alive the old division into pro-British and
anti-British which otherwise might die a natural death.
(&) Commercial activities^ —In the more legitimate sphere of fostering trade
with Russia, the Soviet Consulate has been spasmodically energetic. Early in
the year lists of Russian firms anxious to do trade with Persia were advertised
by means of posters; and orders for piece-goods and other fabrics, hardware,
lamps and agricultural machinery were solicited. In mid-summer, with a great
flourish trumpets, the Russian Military Attache and an official Cotton Expert—
(M. Gregorian)—arrived from Tehran, via Rafsinjan, the prinicipal cotton
centre of the province, where they made enquiries about cotton production and
advised the purchase of large quantities of American seed from Russians who
had imported it into Persia. In Kerman they attended a big reception held
at the Soviet Consulate on the 3rd July to celebrate the signing of the Russo-
Persian Commercial Treaty. On this occasion they talked of the opening a
branch of the Russo-Persian Bank in Kerman in the near future; and announced
their readiness to advance seed and money for increased cotton growing.
Neither promises has yet been fulfilled. Finally at the end of the year a large
consignment of Russian oil arrived from Baku: an official Russian trade agent
was appointed; and a shop labelled the ^ Russo-Persian Oil Shop " was started
for the sale of this oil. As the existing arrangements for the import and market
ing of Anglo-Persian Oil Co.'s oil and petrol were of the most unsatisfactory
description, supplies being inconstant and scanty; and the importers—in the
absence of any agency—charging fancy prices, the conditions were ripe for the
introduction of better methods. The Russian oil moreover was of good quality
and was cheaper. These factors caused an immediate drop in the price, as well
as in the sales, of A. P. 0. C. oil and petrol,
12. Military Affairs.^-N&ih Sarhang Mohamed Khan remained in Kerman
as Officer Commanding the Kerman Troops throughout the year. He is a clever
young man who makes it his business to keep on good terms, at any rate outward
ly, with all parties. On one or two occasions he fell out with the Soviet Consul
Imt for the most part he is on fairly intimate terms with him. At the same time