File 3280/1913 'Persia: Bushire-Shiraz road; Swedish gendarmerie; conditions on the Bushire-Shiraz road; tours of Shiraz consul' [‎79r] (162/332)

This antipathy is mutual, and in spite of all outward appearances of reconcilia
tion there is no ^ doubt that the real sentiments of the two men will never
change. In addition to this the Sowlet-ed-Dowleh is more than suspected of
having at different times engaged in intrigues with Russian Agents, and he is
at this moment accompanied on his march to his winter (Quarters by the
notorious Nimtaj, who is accredited in the popular view with being charged
with a mission to the Sowlet-ed-Dowleh from Russian sources in Tehran. In
a recent letter to the Consul, the Sowlet-ed-Dowleh, after proclaiming his good
will towards the British Government and again requesting its protection, 0 pro
ceeds to throw out a very broad hint that if his request is not favourably
considered, he will look elsewhere for the support which he requires.
On the whole, therefore, I feel compelled to sum up the case adversely to
the Sowlet-ed-Dowleh. One must give him full credit for such good qualities as
he possesses (and personally he is a pleasant and most hospitable man, far
better endowed with the graces than his rival the Kawam-ul-Mulk), and for
the fact that during the last ten months the conduct of the Kashgais,* taking it
all round, has been really exemplary. But he is an arrant and incorrigible
intriguer, and he does not possess the strength of character requisite to make
him a really efficient Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. , or to enable him to hold his own against hostile
Kalantars or his brothers unbacked by government resources and the very
fact of his hereditary claims, whilst securing the doubtful loyalty of some
sections of the tribe, equally ensures the hostility and jealousy of the others.
It is possible, no doubt, that the course of events in Southern Persia may
give the Sowlet-ed-Dowleh some fresh opportunity of proving his w< rth, and
of displaying his good will to the British Government, and his loyalty to his
own Government, in some manner more tangible than by mere talk: but it
seems on the whole more likely that the natural progress of events will tend
more and more to discredit him, and to emphasise the desirability of altering
entirely the present system of succession to the Ilkhaniship of the Kashgais.
A copy of this despatch is being sent for information to the Secretary to
the Government of India in the Foreign Department, and to the Political
Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
149
No. 8554, dated Bushire, the 23rd November (received 1st December) 1918 (Confidential).
From— Lieutenant-Colonel Sir P. Z. Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., 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. ,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
In continuation of this office letter* No. 3433, dated 16th November 1913,
I have the honour to forward, for the
information of the Government of India,
copies, as per attached list, of further correspondence which has since passed
in regard to the proceedings of the gendarmerie on the Bushire-Shiraz road and
the present situation in Shiraz and Pars.
List of enclosures.
1. Telegram from His Majesty’s Consul, Shiraz, to His Britannic
Majesty’s Minister, Tehran, No. 385, dated the 16th November 1913.
2. Telegram from His 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. , Bushire, No. 389, dated the 17th November 1913.
3. Telegram from His Majesty’s Consul, Shiraz, to His Britannic
Majesty’s Minister, Tehran, No. 386, dated the 18th November 1913.
4. Telegram 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. , Bushire, to His Britannic
Majesty’s Minister, Tehran, No. 420—1911, dated the 20th November 1913.
5. Telegram from His Majesty’s Consul, Shiraz, to His Britannic
Majesty’s Minister, Tehran, No. 387, dated the 21st November 1913.