File 3280/1913 'Persia: Bushire-Shiraz road; Swedish gendarmerie; conditions on the Bushire-Shiraz road; tours of Shiraz consul' [‎70r] (144/332)

(Enclosure No. 1.)
Telegram R., No. 1—7, dated the 1st January 1914-.
From—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bnshire,
To His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran (repeated to His Majesty’s Consul,
Shiraz).
On 18th December, Major Lundberg of the gendarmerie, then on a visit
to Bushire, wrote* to me enquiring my
• EncisoureNa. i to Serial No. 158. views as to the levy by gendarmerie of a
charge of one shahi per caravan mule at each caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). occupied by
gendarmerie on the Shiraz road to meet expenses of keeping^ it clean. After
enquiry I have repliedf to Captain
t Enclosure No. 2 , ibid. Lundberg, only gendarmerie officer now
here, saying that, while I sympathise with the object of the levy, I see various
objections to it in practice especially:—
Firstly .—That some, if not all, caravanserais are pious foundations for use
of public free of charge and to alter the gratis character of the accommodation
would probably lead to complaints against gendarmerie and make them
unpopular.
Secondly .—That levy proposed would be an unrecognised due on transit,
such as it is one of the main functions of the gendarmerie to abolish, and
would cause discontent among merchants against whom muleteers would
certainly raise rates.
I mentioned also other minor objections.
I have suggested in reply that gendarmerie should first approach
managers of caravanserais and try to induce them to provide funds, and, tailing
in this, should defray cost of cleaning from gendarmerie funds.
Greatest objection to my mind, which, however, I did not include in my
letter is that, if gendarmerie are allowed to collect dues at all, there will
certainly be extortion at least at outlying posts removed from European
eupervision. I trust, therefore, that Your Excellency will sustain my objec-
tions as scheme seems to lead direct to serious abuses and is m fact inconsistent
with both spirit and letter of arrangements abolishing rahdan and similar
imposts.
Meanwhile I learn that, system has been actually enforced at various posts,
and it is stated that at one post three and even five shabis per mule are being
recovered instead of one shahi.
(Enclosure No. 2.)
Telegram R., No. 1, dated (and received) the 3rd January 1914».
F rom —Hi s Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran,
To The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.
I entirely atrree with the views expressed in your telegramf No 1 and
i entirely a 0 nm comn ,, ln icating with General Officer
l Enclosure No. i, ante. Commanding strongly deprecating tho
levy of any taxes by gendarmerie officers who have no authority whatever to
take such action.
(Enclosure ~So. 3 )
Telegram R., No. 2—10, dated the 3rd January 1914.
From—The Fditical Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire,
To-His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Tehran (repeated to H.s Majesty s Consu ,
Shiraz).
§ Enclosure No. 1, 'inte. MV telegram§ No. 1.
Gendarmerie officer here informs mo that
mules, and that, at his suggestion, orders to stop it fia e
Shiraz.