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File 948/1909 'Persia: Situation in the South; Condition of the Roads. Attack on Mr Bill. Road Guard Scheme.' [73r] (150/744)
The record is made up of 1 volume (370 folios). It was created in 1909-1911. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
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['pfeds Document is tbG Proporty 01 His Britamiic Majesty’s GovGrmnent.l
PERSIA.
* -x .ys..
[December 19.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
Section 3.
[45639]
No. 1.
Sit G. Barclay to Sit Edward Grey.—(Received December 19 )
(No. 217.)
bir ’ T tt a 'V' r T 7 ' ,11 ^ , Tehran, November 2i, ISIQ.
. 1 , V . the hon o ur to forward the accompanying copy of a despatch Irom His
Majesty s acting consul at Shiraz. As you will notice, Mr. Smart’s recommendations
are based on the assumption that my note of the 14th October regarding the southern
roads accurately described the intentions of His Majesty’s Government in regard to
the policing of the Bashire-Ispahan road—a misapprehension which I have since
corrected.
But though Mr. Smart s despatch was written under a misapprehension, I venture
to forward it, as it contains an interesting exposition of the present situation in Bars,
from the pen of one who believes that the best course for the Persian Government would
be to remove Soulet-ed-Dowleh from his position as
Ilkhani
The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran.
of the Kashgais, a view
which, though held by
Sardar
Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.
Assad, is not shared by the Persian Government.
I have informed Mr. Smart, in reply to this despatch, that in the circumstances I
do not propose to interfere in the Persian Government’s relations with Soulet.
I have, &c.
G. BARCLAY.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Acting Consul Smart to Sir G. Barclay.
(No. 45.)
^ Shiraz, October 25, 1910.
WITH reference to my despatch No. 34 of the 25th July last and previous
correspondence regarding our attitude in the question of Soulet-ed-Dowleh, I venture
to suggest, for the consideration of yourself and Colonel Cox, that the moment has
now come when we can, with advantage, depart from our policy of neutrality in Ears
politics.
I understand from your telegram No. 72 of the 15th instant that His Majesty’s
Government are now prepared to take effective measures to ensure a reasonable amount
of security on the telegraph route from Bush ire to Ispahan, should the Persian Govern
ment fail to restore order along that route within three months. That being the case,
the main reason, as far as the interior of Ears is concerned, for our refraining from
throwing our moral influence openly into the scale against Soulet-ed-Dowleh would
seem no longer to exist. I have hitherto deprecated our declaring ourselves openly
against him for the obvious reason that, if, after we had done so, the Persian Government
had not suppressed him, our position in Ears would have been extremely awkward, even
dangerous. If, however, we are ready, in case of necessity, to take adequate measures
to ensure security along the the highway of our trade for rhe conveyance of our
merchandise, for the passage of our travellers, and for the employes and wires of the
Indo-European Telegraph Department, we can, it would seem, view with equanimity
the hostility of Soulet-ed-Dowleh, as far as the interior of Ears is concerned.
I have long ago expressed my opinion that the suppression of Soulet-ed-Dowleh is
imperative for the restoration of order in Ears. Time has only strengthened me in this
belief, and I venture now to offer a few observations on the general situation, with a
view to emphasising the incompatibility of order in Ears generally, and on the Bushire-
Ispahan telegraph route particularly, with the maintenance of Soulet-ed-Dowleh.
The root of the evil in Ears is the enmity existing between the Kawamis and the
Ilkhani
The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran.
of the Kashgais. It is this enmity which has caused both parties to incite their
respective followers to create disturbances at different times and at different places, with
the object of damaging each others position. Having once ordered their tribesmen to
plunder for particular objects, it became very difficult to prevent them from plundering
indiscriminately. Hence the present situation with the tribes no longer under the
control of their chiefs, who, from fear of each other, dared not take energetic measures
to chastise their rebellious followers. The interests of the two parties are so conflicting
[1805 *—3] B
3o
About this item
- Content
The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes relating to the security situation in south Persia, 1909-1911.
The discussion in the volume relates to the deteriorating security situation for travellers and trade in south Persia (which was held to be a British sphere of influence) caused by fighting among the Kashgai, Lur and Arab tribes who had rejected the authority of the Governor-General of Fars. A further cause of insecurity relating to this is referred to in a note (ff 335-336) by the 2nd Assistant Resident, Bushire, J S Crosthwaite, who describes how tribesmen had invested their money in rifles and could only earn their living by robbing the caravans of commercial travellers.
Correspondence discusses how this culminated in an attack upon J H Bill, Acting British Consul, Shiraz, in which two horsemen or ' sowars ' were killed, as he travelled along a caravan route. Correspondence discusses measures to be taken as a result of this attack, including a claim for compensation from the Persian Government, a punitive expedition against the Kashgais tribe and the role of Soulet et-Dowle, Governor General, Fars. Measures discussed include using the guards ( gholam ) of the Indo-European Telegraph Department paid for by a surcharge on customs duty levied by the British at Bushire; implications for relations with the Persian Government and the Russian Government are also discussed.
Included in the volume is a 'Memorandum respecting the Disorders on the Trade Routes of Southern Persia' by H G Trick, Vice-Consul for Fars.
The principal correspondents in the volume include Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Viscount Morley of Blackburn, Secretary of State for India; Percy Zachariah Cox, the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; and Sir George Head Barclay, Minister at Tehran.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (370 folios)
- Arrangement
The subject 948 (Persia: situation in the south) consists of 1 volume.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 366; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located at the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the two leading and ending flyleaves
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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File 948/1909 'Persia: Situation in the South; Condition of the Roads. Attack on Mr Bill. Road Guard Scheme.' [73r] (150/744), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/163, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100030540733.0x000097> [accessed 24 January 2025]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/163
- Title
- File 948/1909 'Persia: Situation in the South; Condition of the Roads. Attack on Mr Bill. Road Guard Scheme.'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:146v, 147v:224v, 226r:369v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence