'Administration Reports 1905-1910' [‎12r] (28/616)

EESIDENCY FOR THE YEAR 1905-1906.
7
Similary, in our Consulate, Major P. Molesworth Sykes, C.M.G., who
created the post in 1894 and with some intervals of leave, had ever since then
ably maintained British interest and prestige within his sphere, was translated
to Mesbed in the spring of 1905 and was relieved by Captain L. B. Haworth
in May. The latter again, after six months' residence, and just as he had
acquired a satisfactory grip of the work, had to return to India in November,
and was in turn relieved by Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. M. Stewart, who
remained until the end of the year.
Under such changing conditions the period reviewed could hardly provide
a record of a very progressive nature.
Captain Haworth, however, during his few months' connection with the
Consulate, applied himself zealously to
Scheme for road-guards. ^ i m p 0r tant question of providing
a greater measure of security for the Bunder Abbas-Kerman caravan route
and before leaving evolved a scheme for the provision of the road-guards,
which had the prima facie approval of the Government of India and was
subject to the consideration of His Majesty's Government at the end of the
year.
Another prudent and important measure was the inauguration at the
instance of the Government of India of a
Inauguration of a Vice-Cousulate at Bam. Vice-Consulate at Bam, which had for its
objects the advance of our trading and political interests in the neighbourhood
of this important stage on the Bunder Abbas-Kerman strategical line; and
the planning of, or co-operation in, measures for the suppression of lawlessness
on the caravan routes.
The first incumbent of the post was an Indian Muhammadan, Khan
Bahadur Ashgar Ali, originally an employe of the Government of India
Survey, who had originally come to Persia some years before with Mr. Tate of
that Departmentf and having after the conclusion of the latter's mission
remained on duty with Major Sykes, had been doing useful work under that
officer's orders and had gained in the process an intimate knowledge of the
country, language and people which was considered to render him deserving
and qualified for permanent employment under the Eoreign Department.
He joined his appointment in June after accompanying the Newcomen
Commercial Mission throughout their
Death of Vice-Consui. four; but was unfortunately not destined
to retain it long, as he died of pneumonia or pleurisy on the 11th October 1905.
His place was not immediately filled, but just before the end ol: the year
the appointment of a young British
Appointment of Lieutenant g vie. officer as an experimental measure was
intimated by the Government of India; and Lieutenant G. D. Ogilvie, the
officer appointed, shortly afterwards left Quetta for his post overland.
Kerman itself was in a state of chronic ferment for the first eight or nine
, months of the year owing to semi-religious
dissensions between the Sheikhi and
Balasiri sections of the populace. These for a long time flourished unchecked
owing to the absence of permanent authority, but were eventually extinguished
by rigorous action on the part of His Highness Zafar-es-Sultaneh against the
fanatical clergy, who were the main instigators of the disorder. Colonel
Stewart considers that His Highness's action and its effective result
demonstrate, firstly, that the Kermanis are not fanatically inclined, and,
secondly, that the tiresome practice of taking ^bast" or sanctuary can on
occasion be set aside by a strong man without exciting an outburst of popular
indignation.
Apart from the above, the only other event deserving of special notice,
„ . .,. was the visit of the Armenian " Prince "
EusaiauCommt-rciaiMission. Anatovmi of the llussiaa Department o£
Commerce ; a protege of the Grand Puke Michael, who has made two lengthv
tours in Persia with the object of finding openings for Hussian goods and
enterprise.