Coll 28/8 ‘Persia; Diaries; Sistan & Kain, April 1927 – 1933’ [‎125v] (261/434)

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a very large number examined very few
appear to have been finally selected.
A few cases arise in which British
subjects had voluntarily taken ‘ Sejil ’
certificates and declared themselves to
be Persian subjects. They had generally
done so in order to obtain employment
in the Amnieh, Maliyeh, etc. When it
was discovered that this had the incon
venient result that they were liable for
conscription they ran to the Consulate
demanding assistance as British subjects.
As they had quite voluntarily declared
themselves to be Persian subjects when
it suited them His Majesty’s Consul
declined to interfere officially, but sent
the Attache to speak privately to the
President of the Selection Committee. It
was made clear that the persons con
cerned having voluntarily accepted
Persian nationality, no official represent
ation would be made, but proof could be
adduced if required that they had until
recently, been British subjects and t
might be assumed that they did not fully
realise the results which a change of
nationality might involve, and could
hardly be expected to make satisfactory
Persian conscripts. The President has
provisionally excluded them from the
lists of persons liable to conscription and
it is believed that they will be allowed
to resume their British nationality and
the Sejil certificates will be cancelled.
His Majesty’s Consul has recovered their
passports and it is believed that in due
course an official notification of the can
cellation of their Sejil certificates will be
received, in which case the passports
will be returned. Since the abolition of
the capitulations it appears that among
some of the British Indians, more or less
permanently domiciled in these parts,
the opinion was formed that there was
little use in retaining their British
nationality. The introduction of con
scription has forcibly brought home to
them that British nationality has some
advantages.
Persian Military Affairs.
86 . While on tour at Bampur His
Majesty’s Consul was shewn the fort
there. It is an imposing building built
on a small hill and is visible for a great
distance over the Bampur plain. It is in
poor repair but is being put in better
order and barracks have been recently
built in ^ the interior. As far as His
Maj( sty’s Consul could judge the detach
ment appeared to consist of some 50 men
under an officer. There is Heliographic
communication with the headquarters at
Iranshahr, some 18 miles distant. The
fort was previously occupied by Dost
Mohamed. The walls are of immense
thickness and it would be a formida^
obstacle except to heavy artillery.
Iranshahr is the Headquarters of a
Battalion some of whom are mounted on
camels.
A very fine building existed dating
from the time of Nadir Shah. It has
been put into a state of perfect repair,
and besides Barracks for the men con
tains a very good Hospital, stabling for
some 80 horses, Officers’ quarters, im
mense ambars, a large Hamam, cook
house, etc. The whole is planned on a
very fine scale, the buildings being sepa
rated by wide avenues containing run
ning water tanks, and fountains. Sani
tation was excellent and the men well
turned out in every respect. A Military
band was much in evidence and a wire
less concert was in progress in the even
ing. When it is considered that all sup
plies, doors, windows, etc., have been
transported from Duzdap over what
must be quite the worst ‘ road ’ in Persia,
for the most part entirely waterless, the
achievement is quite remarkable. The
appearance of the men, equipment, etc.,
was greatly superior to that of the troops
at Sistan or Birjand.
!t is not yet clear whether conscripts
from the Qainat will be trained at
Birjand or will proceed to Meshed.
Sarhang Mohamed Khan informed His
Majesty’s Consul that conscripts from
the Sistan area would be sent to Khwash
for training. The General Officer Com
manding entertained hopes that he
would be given an independent command,
and enlarged on the difficulties and delay
which resulted from his command being
under the orders of the General Officer
Commanding Eastern Army.
Sultan Ibrahim Khan Timuri has been
appointed Officer Commanding at
Chabar. He proceeded from Khwash
via Duzdap and Karachi on October
18th.
Soviet Activities.
87. The Rizvi Garrage at Birjand is
said to be about to import Russian Motor
tyres.
1460 Gallons of Russian petrol was
brought to Birjand in October. The
price of Russian Kerosene oil there has