File 52/1912 Pt 3 'Persia Diaries' [‎223v] (457/1128)

despatched some days ago. We have now asked for the orders to be repeated
from Tehran.
It is curious that there is at least as much dissatisfaction shown by our Russian
allies at the coming of our troops as by the Persians themselves, as if we had been
responsible for the departure of their own, which we had worked hard to prevent,
11 There has been a slight increase in the price of roubles in the city this
week on account of the report thatv peace with the Central Powers is imminent.
The rate is now about 8 tu tyuiihs per ICO roubles.
12. The Persian Cossacks have received the necessary instructions for charge
of certain wmrk outside Meshed city {vide paragraph 11 last week). It will be
f^ujid convenient to employ them for the protection of. mam roads and the occupa
tion of important posts which may not be included in our military programme.
13 It is reported from Sarakhs that 12 families of Russian Turkomans have
come across the border with the intention of becoming Persian subjects.
14. A raid on the Customs premises at Darajaiz wdth some loss of life is
reported. The criminals in this case were Turkomans, among whom there is
undoubtedly much unrest.
15 Complaints against the Maximalists have reached Meshed from Askabad,
and the Persian Agent has asked his Government for a detachment of troops to
guard his house and to protect the interests of the Persian traders resident in
Askabad.
16 Persian and German intrigues. —Seven escaped Austrian prisoners have
been sent in to Meshed by the Governor of Kelat. IRe Karguzar on a request
from me that they should be handed over for despatch to India has telegraphed
to Tehran for instructions. If the reply is not satisfactory some arrangement
w r ill be made to recapture them when they leave Meshed for Tehran or elsewhere.
17. Aghazadah is much disgusted wdth the democrats wRo declined to comply
with a request from him to murder the editor of the “ Chaman who had pub
lished a defamatory article concerning him ; the reason for non-compliance given
is that the editor has become a British protege, which is of course incorrect.
18. At one of the weekly meetings of the democrat society it w^as decided,
in view r of the answer of the Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Intisar to the proposals made (paragraph 19
last week), not to oppose the entry of our troops into Meshed, but to watch their
conduct towards fl e peojle carefully and take aetkn later should it be necessary.
The lists of arms in possession of democarts were perused : they show 336 arms
of different kinds, of which 143 are breech-loading rifles, and 157 revolvers and
Mauser pistols.
19. Two persons, one a Tehrani and the other a Kermanshahi, have arrived
m Meshed end are collecting money from the democrats for the manufacture
of bombs and cartridges, at which they are said to be expert. Their movements and
work will be carefully watched.
20. News from Turbat-i-Haidari. —The arrival is announced of Major Lang,
Commandant of the Khorassan—Sistan Levy Corps, on recruiting duty. He is
due at Meshed to-day on a short visit for consultation.
21. News fro 7 n Turbat-i-Shaikh Jam. —Saiyid Muhammad Beg Jamshidi is
reported to have ccme to Turbat with some sowars, and to be entering into rela-.
tions with the llbaigi Kaudani and Mir Baki Sultan, whom he has asked to give
him seme place of habitation. It is said that on obtaining ihis he will send infor
mat icn to Saiyid Ahmad Beg who is at Chaman-i-Bid, and that the latter will then
bring the families of both to Turbat-i-Jam.
It will probablv be well to station some levies at least at Jam if this arrange
ment is carried into effect.
22. The Naib Karguzar of Karaiz has arrived at Turbat. He has been ins-,
tructed to prepare lists of all losses suffered by the inhabitants of Jam at the hands
of Russian troops during the sojourn of the latter in the neighbourhood.