ملف رقم ٩٤٨ لسنة ١٩٠٩ "بلاد فارس: الوضع في الجنوب؛ حالة الطرق. الهجوم على السيد بيل. برنامج حرس الطرق". [ظ‎‎٢‎٢] (٧٤٤/٤٩)

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Annex 2.
Note from the Persian Government, dated 13th October 1910.
In reply to Your Excellency’s note of 23rd September last respecting
the murder of two Indian sowars between Shiraz and Isfahan, mve
the honour to state that according to reports received from the Govern o
of Abadeh, when Mr. Bill was starting from that place, he had especially
told him that, owing to the unrest amongst the tribes he should postpone
his journey for a day so that he may prepare lor him a sufficient
number of guards, but Mr. Bill did not agree, and even refused to put
his journey off for two hours enabling the Governor to prepare a sufficient
number of guards. The latter, however, sent with him 80 road guards
who were ready on the spot, and they got safely to Shulgistan. T
next day, when there was every possibility of fresh disorders on that
portion of the road, Mr. Bill, without giving information to the local
authorities, finding out the condition of the road, and asking for guaids,
returns to Abadeh. , , ,
In view of the above facts, Your Excellency will admit that the local
authorities had not failed in their duties, and that the incident had
been the result of Mr. Bill’s carelessness and haste. Ihe Governor had
urged him to postpone his journey and wait for guards because he was
anticipating such incidents. While expressing my deepest regret for
this incident, I have now the honour to point out to h our Excellency
that Mr. Bill’s haste and refusal to take notice of the local Governors
earnest pressure had led to this incident, and have entirely removed the
responsibility of the local Governor.
1 avail, <xc.,
Hussein Kuu.
Annex 3.
Note to the Persian Government, dated Tehran,
18th October 1910.
I am in receipt of Your Excellency’s note of the 13th instant with
respect to the attack on Mr. Bill and the killing of two Indian sowais
on the Shiraz-Isfahan road on 15th April last, in which you endeavour
to exonerate the Deputy Governor of Abadeh of all icsponsibilit} foi
this incident, on the ground that he endeavoured to induce Mi\ Bill _ to
postpone his departure for a day or two in order that he should provide
a sufficient number of guards to ensure his safety.
Mr. Bill, in reporting the circumstances to His Majesty’s Legation,
stated that the Deputy Governor had not the slightest idea how to
procure the proposed reinforcements, and it ’would have been imprac
ticable for Mr. Bill to remain indefinitely at Abadeh. Moreover^ Mr. Bill
was actually accompanied from Abadeh by 12 local “ sowars,” 25 local
“ tufangchis,” and three extra Persian cossacks, in addition to his own
escort, consisting of 13 Indian “ sowars ” and four Persian cossacks.
It will, therefore be seen that Mr. Bill’s escort consisted of 57 armed
men.
I am, however, in no way concerned as to the question whether or
not the Deputy Governor was responsible. The fact remains that one
of His Majesty's Consular Officers, while travelling on the high road in
Persia, was attacked and two of his consular escort killed. The Persian
Government is obviously responsible for the security of its roads, and I
must request that reparation for this outrage on a British Consular
Officer and the killing of two of his escort may no longer be delayed.
I avail, &c.,
His Excellency, G. Barclay.
Hussein Kuli Khan.