File 1377/1905 Pt 4 'Perso-Baluch Frontier: Garrisons at Kacha and Robat' [‎96v] (192/320)

Telegram (P.), No. K.-34, dated Birjand, the 16th, Robat 22nd (received 22nd) June 1908.
From— Major R. L. Kennion, His Britannic Majesty’s Consul, Seistan,
To—S. H. Butler, Esq., C.I.E., Secretary to the Government of India in the
Foreign Department.
Please see your telegram No, S.-364. I think Robat escort might well he
withdrawn as far as concerns safety of British subjects in case of purely local
disturbances, provided that steps had been taken to improve to furthest possible
capacity the Seistan Consulate and Birjand Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. . But I do not think the
suggested change at present advisable considering the critical state of Persia
as a whole, the possibility of a general rising and the valuable political effect
the presence of troops at Robat undoubtedly has. The steps alluded to above
would be Consulate defence scheme as submitted to the Government of India^)
the augmentation of escort to 45 to provide for Birjand, and the increase of the
Chageh Levies to thirty (half could be dismounted). I would also advise
hundred, if proposed withdrawal is carried out.
Repeated as No. 66 to His Majesty’s Charge d’Affaires, Tehran, Consul-
General, Meshed, and Agent to the Governor-General, Baluchistan.
No. 784-B., dated Quetta, the 16th November 1907.
From—The General Officer Commanding, 4th (Quetta) Division,
To—The Quarter Master General in India.
With reference to the correspondence ending with my telegram No. 716-B.,
dated 5th November 1^07, I have the honour to request that the question
of the future retention of the Robat Escort furnished from this Division may
2 . The detachment originally proceeded to Rohat as an escort to arms and
ammunition for consulates at Seistan and Meshed, and on arrival at Robat was
“ temporarily retained ” on account of local and frontier disturbances.
3. A detachment has now been furnished at Robat since April 1906, the
disturbed state of the coutry being given as a reason for their retention when
ever the question of withdrawal has been put forward ; and as from information
lately received from the Political authorities there seems to be no immediate
prospect of any change in the condition obtaining in that district, it would
appear that the withdrawal of the troops is improbable for some time.
4. The nature of the climate, scarcity and indifferent quality of drinking
water, and scarcity of local supplies, all combine to make service at this out
post very detrimental to the health of the troops employed there.
5. I attach a statement showing the general health of the detachment
since first arrival at Robat from which it will be seen, that at the end of six
months, the percentage of sick becomes permanently large.
6 . I consider that if it is probable that this detachment will he required
to remain at Robat for any further considerable period, i.e., not less than 12
months, that it should be placed on the same categorv (for relief purposes only)
as all detachments furnished from this Division/and its regular relief at
intervals of six months be sanctioned.
7. This will mean a recurring annual charge of Rs. 9,400, hut I consider
that this expense is well wortk incurring considering the gain in efficiency that
number of Chageh Levies available for reinforcements being raised to one
be referred to the Poreign Department for consideration and favour of early
decision.
2