ملف ١١٨٧/ ١٩١٤ الجزء ٢ "بلاد فارس - السياسة. المصالح البريطانية في الجنوب. السياسة الروسية" [و‎‎٢‎٣‎٦] (٣٠٠/٢١٩)

The correctness of this opinion was demonstrated, I understand by the
satisfactory results attending their use as road guards last year, and similarly
this year, since they were put to guard the fords.
I further advocate entering into direct relations with the Kuhgilu tribes them
selves, in pursuance^ of which policy I made a tour in the Kuhgilu country in
1909, with the happiest results, for it twice saved my caravan from being looted
en route to Arabistan in the following year.
On two occasions, once at the Gardan-i-Lugham r ir and once at Oala
Madrasseh two bands of marauders, numbering 40 or 50 Kuhgilus stopped me
at the head of my caravan, in tne former case opening fire on us, but it so hap
pened that each party contained men I had met down in the Kuhgilu country,
and the whole party escorted us along the road through the danger zone—and
then turned back and looted the next caravan ! This shows the value of per
sonal relations with them.
Reference 5.—l have already outlined the means by which I propose to strike
at the causes conducing to scarcity of transport on the road. The causes re
moved, the scarcity will disappear.
Reference 6.—The road inspectors, if they work honestly, should be able
to do much to assist traffic on the road and obviate unnecessary delays.
Reference 7.—I propose to remedy this defect by stationing a man of my •
own choosing at Deh Diz, where all caravans must pass, who will be solely in
my employ, who will have no cause to understate figures, unless he is heavily
bribed by the bridge-keepers and this l think is unlikely, and who will know that
unless he does his work thoroughly and well that he will be removed. I shall so
arrange his report that I shall be able to use the figures which I shall get from
Messrs. Lynch Brothers as a check on him ; but this scheme I can only put in
force if Your Excellency can see your way To allotting me another 5 T. per
mensem. The value of correct statistics is such that at io-T. per mensem they
will not be dearly bought, where incorrect statistics would be a waste of even
5 T. per mensem.
While dealing with this branch of the subject, I would request Your Excel
lency to transfer to the Ahwaz Vice-Consulate account with the Imperial Bank
of Persia, Ispahan, such sum as may be due under this head as soon as possible
so as to enable me to make the proposed arrangement prior to leaving Ispahan
this autumn.
Reference 8 .—The “ dokash ” system will be difficult to stop, for it enables
muleteers to graze their cattle in the Low and High Countries in their respective
grazing seasons. The only thing to be done is to restrict it as much as possible
on contracts and to enforce the penalty clause, if the period is exceeded, with far
greater severity than heretofore.
I saw a good example of how delays occur, on my way up this year. A num
ber of Turks took loads on contract from Lynch in Nassiri for Ispahan and took
them to Malamir, where they dumped them. Thence they returned to their
“garmsir ,, , picked up their families and cattle and proceeded to take them by
leisurely stages to their summer quarters in the High Country. After which
they proposed to return and take their loads to Ispahan. At the rate they were
travelling when I met them, they would exceed any reasonable time for delivery
in Ispahan, but seemed to have no fear of their penalty clause being enforced.
The system is particularly noxious towards the end of the season, upward
loads getting dumped on the Ahwaz side of the Burra Murda Pass, and similarly
downward loads mutatis mutandis.
In years of heavy snow fall, when the Pass becomes impassable, these goods
get shut out till the Pass opens again.
The inspectors would be useful in such cases to see that loads were dumped
on the destination-side of the Pass. If this were done, not only would the system
be rendered inocuous, but even might be made the means of keeping the trans
port business in full blast even with the Pass closed.
For winter traffic a serai is badly needed at Gandumkar, with sufficient
accommodation for both man and beast, and sufficient supplies, especially cf
fuel.