'Administration Reports 1925-1930' [‎30v] (65/418)

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which proved the truth of Walt whitman's saying that " argument is beggarly
before a defiant deed There was general relief when the announcement came
that Reza Khan had won, and no little satisfaction that this bloodless revolution
had been so competently stage managed. If there was any dissentient opinion,
it was not heard. The popular view was that Ahmed Kajar had brought his
downfall on himself ; and though at first some apprehension was expressed lest
Reza Khan migiit lose some of his prestige if he made himself Shah, all talk of
a republic soon died away. And now the very name of Kajar is already almost
forgotten in this town where the first of the Kajars won his throne.
Press. —Rais-ul-Mutakallimin, a friendly Rouzakhan of moderate views and
much more than average intelligence and character, started his weekly paper
' Istaqa'mat ' early in the year. It has appeared regularly ever since. He
receives ' Renter's Summary ' from this Consulate and makes unexceptionable
use of the news he receives. He is of considerable help to the Consulate in many
ways. - • '
Hashimi's paper ^ Bidari " has made vrey spasmodic appearances.
The " Habl-ul-Matin " of Calcutta remains the chief foreign paper which
circulates in Kerman. Its malicious <m^-British views were less thinly veiled
than ever this year : and it does a great deal of harm in its way.
Societies. —There are several Societies in Kerman of which one hears very
little. The Anjuman-i-Azadi and the Anjuman-i-Ranjbar for instance, exist :
but no one precisely knows what they do. The latest arrival seems to be more
vigorous : it has the name of Anjuman-i-Tujjar-i-Jawan—or ^ Young Mer
chants' Association". If the young merchants confine their, activities to en
couraging the development of trade and communications in the Province in an
unpartisan way, they can only do good. But there are signs of an unhealthy
pro-Russian bias among their members which may result in its becoming as much
political as commercial. This may prove to be merely a disease of infancy : but
it needs watching.
11. Russian Activities, (a) Political. —On the whole there has been a
marked and welcome diminution in Russian intrigue and interference in local
affairs during the year—particularly since the summer. While Nizam-ed-Douleh
was Governor General M. Laktionoff did not relax his mischievous activities : he
openly supported ' Nauzari ' against the Governor General and when Nizam-ed-
Douleh left Kerman not only omitted the courtesy of paying him a farewel visit
but boasted that he was responsible for his recall. He had burnt his fingers
pretty badly over his support of Nauzari for when he asked Nizam-ed-Douleh
to contradict the general report that Nauzari's troubles were -due to his friend
ship with the Soviet Consul, His Excellency received a personal telegram from
Reza Khan saying that the Government did not permit outsiders to interfere in
any internal question and that what people chose to say about it all was no concern
of the Persian Government. But nothing dounts M. Laktionoff, and when
Vossuq-es-Saltaneh arrived and tried to get rid of Nauzari he was as indefatigable
and as careless of publicity as ever. At times he flirted, or tried to flirt, with
various communities—Behais, agricultural labourers (Anjuman-i-Ranjbar) whom
he vainly persuaded to go on strike against landowners, carpet weavers and
designers. He made the most of the Medina incident to encourage reports that
the English were at the bottom of it.
His neutrality during the anfi-Kajar movement evoked equal surprise and
relief : but there are no real signs yet that M. Laktionoff has ' changed his spots
It is now known definitely that he communicates with India via Bandar Abbas :
and he is endeavouring to establish contact with Persian Baluchistan. His in
fluence locally has waned, however, during the year, to a noticeable extent ; and
indeed he has been forced into a ridiculous position by his unwillingness to meet
myself and the British community at any public or semi-public function. He
has been driven to invent one excuse after another to account for his absence at
Military displays, receptions in honour of the new dynasty, theatrical entertain
ments, even football matches : and though he wrote a courteous letter of regret
at Queen Alexandra's death, he excused himself from coming to the Consulate
at the semi-official " visit of mourning ". He has run through most of the
minor ailments in the Pharmacopoea by now : and lives a life of more or less
complete isolation.
(b) Commercial. —M. Laktionoff has been energetic, and levish in promises :
but he has not accomplished much in this sphere. The sale of Russian oil was
interfered with by the establishment of an A. P. 0. C. sales agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. in Kerman
which resulted in a steady supply of oil and petrol at fixed prices where there