File 3852/1912 Pt 2 'Persia. Conditions in South Persia. German Documents' [‎247v] (126/280)

Captain Killander in the Abadeh district being apparently
prime favorites) All along the line from Bushire to Isfahan
absolute security appeared to prevail and all the local in
habitants whom I questioned as to the outcome of the Gen
darmerie system spoke of it in the highest terms, contrasting
the present conditions on the road with those which prevailed
before the force was established and expressing their gratitu|e
for the enormous amelioration effected by it. Of the courtesy
and attention received by me personally from the Gendarmerie
in the course of my recent journey I cannot speak too highly and
other British travellers have spoken to me in a similar sense."
These words of a Consul who had travelled extensively
and the facts made apparent by them might have
been sufficient for England, if she was serious in her efforts
to restore order in the country. But it was British order that
was wanted, not Persian order. The experience made with
Shuster seemed about to be repeated: again an attempt at
reorganisation pressed on Persia from selfish motives turned
to the disadvantage of England in so far as the reorganizers
would not allow themselves to be shifted about as pawns in
the English pohcv of control but considered themselves as
servants in Persia’s interests.
Thus, in order to have a pretext for weakening this organi
sation whose popularity was steadily increasing, by keeping
back the pay assured them by agreement, England had re
course to besmirching their conduct and calumnies of the Swedish
officers found ready listeners. On the occasion of leaving his
post Townley however said on April 7 th , 1915*• “I cannot ...
divest myself of a belief that the actions of the Swedes said
to be hostile to us have been exaggerated and that too ready
an ear has been lent to interested calumniators."
The transporting of munition in 1913 for the Gen
darmerie from Bushire into the interior which was part of that
forces duty, offered the sought-for opportunity. This munition
had been ordered with the knowledge of England and had
been waiting about a year in Bushire on account of uncertain
means of transport. England having once before ordered
back unlawfully 200 000 cartridges on the way from Mo-
hammerah to Ahwaz, which munition had been intended for
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