File 299/1918 Pt 3 'Persia: situation in the South; aeroplanes at Bushire; post-war garrisons in the Persian Gulf; question of withdrawal of British troops; War Minister's visit to the South, 1922' [‎301v] (607/746)

4
■■ an cl payment of the tribesmen employed, pro-
“ vided regularity of payment were ensured, would,
“ I think have most beneficial results . . ■
“ Regularity of payment . . . could be beat
“ secured by entrusting the work of paying the
“ chiefs and tribesmen employed to the officers of
the Indo-European Telegraph Department ”
In a later despatch which forwarded Mr. Bill s
scheme in a more mature shape, he observed, how
ever : “ I notice Mr. Bill does not favour the grant
“ of subsidies, and, indeed, if the tribes are as free
“ from the control of their chiefs as Mr. Bill
“ describes them as being, a system of subsidies
“ might prove ineffective.”
Finally, after consultation with Major Cox, he
recommended that the Bushire-Ispahan road should
be patrolled in sections by a force of 600 guards
raised locally and superintended and organised by
six officers seconded by the Indo-European Telegraph
Department; that certain Khans between Bushire
and Shiraz should be subsidised ; and that the total
cost of the scheme, expected not to exceed 15,000b,
should be met by a surtax at the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ports
of 10 per cent, on import and export duties for a
given period, e.g., three years. It may be noted
that this scheme avoided the employment previously
suggested of the gholams of the Indo-Euiopean
Telegraph Department, a feature that had been
adversely criticised both by Major Cox and Mr.
Kirk, Director-in-Chief, as tending to disturb the
amicable relations subsisting between the people of
the country and the Telegraph Department.
The assent of the Russian Government was
obtained to these proposals, but no effect was given
to them in view of the fact that negotiations were
proceeding for a joint Anglo-Russian loan to the
Persian Government of which one of the conditions
was to be the formation of an efficient gendarmerie
under foreign instructors throughout the whole of
Persia.*
7. On the 15th April 1910 Mr. Bill was attacked
by robbers near Abadeh while on his way north from
Shiraz, after relinquishing his acting appointment
as Consul, and two Indian sowars accompanying
him were killed. Mr. Marling, who soon afterwards
became Charge d’Affaires at Tehran, reported that
no measure we could take short of occupation of
the roads would ensure absolutely against the
repetition of such cases, and recommended a pro
posal by Major Cox that a squadron of cavalry
under British officers should be maintained at
Shiraz or divided equally between Shiraz and
Ispahan. The proposal was not carried out, but a
frank discussion took place with the Persian
Government, and they were asked what steps they
proposed to take, and what assistance His Majesty’s
Government could lend them in bringing about a
settlement. The reply of the Persian Minister of
Foreign Affairs was that arms and money were the
only forms of assistance His Majesty’s Government
could give.
1
Sir G. Barclay’s Despatch No. 17fi
22nd September 1909.
(P 8.)
Pol. 4099/09.
Sir G. Barclay’s Telegram No. 772
6 th November 1909.
(P. 72.)
Pol. 4193/09.
Pol. 948/09.
Sir A. Nicolson’s Despatch No. 611,
16th November 1909.
(P. 107.)
Pol. 4294/09.
Sir A. Nicolson’s Despatch No. 24
12th January 1910.
(P Ml
Pol. 2932/10.
* Vide “ Memoi-andum as to Persian
Government Loans.”
The Attack on Mr. Bill, 15th April
1910, and subsequent action.
Sir G. Barclay’s Telegram No. 168'
17th April 1910.
(P. 61.)
Pol. 3246/10.
Mr. Marling’s Telegram No. 186, 22nd
April 1910.
(P. 79.)
Pol. 3294/10.
Sir E. Grey’s Telegram No. 160, 2
May 1910.
(P. 195.)
Pol. 3434/10.
Mr. Marling’s Telegram No. 240, 25^
May 1910.
(P. 213.)
Pol. 3434/10.