File 3852/1912 Pt 2 'Persia. Conditions in South Persia. German Documents' [‎254v] (140/280)

We will now let the American, Merrill, speak, whom
England in 1916 entrusted with the organization of a force
similar to the Cossack Brigade and who was soon after appointed
Commander of the forces of Prince Nusrat-es-Sultaneh 1 ):
Teheran, Jan. 20 . 1915 .
Dear Major:
To-day is the third day that the treasury has been closea
here as a protest against the high handed proceedings of the
gendarmerie in collecting taxes in the provinces. I understand
that the Belgians say that either the Swedes go or they go: in
all probability some of both sides will go: rather think the govt,
is rather pleased at the situation as it gives them a chance to
get rid of the detested Belgians. I believe the report is true
that Hjalmarson has a signed contract in his pocket to orga
nize a gendarmerie in China! poor China! The situation at
Kerman Sir Walter told me was “rotten”: the gendarmerie
running wild in the streets: he said in all probability an inde
pendent force would have to be organized there: hinting I
think that I might have it! The Birjand post is at my command
if I want, but the situation is changing very rapidly and I am
awaiting the adjustments sure to follow the departure of the
Swedish regular army officers. Niestrom, Moller, Folke, An-
den, Hjalmarson will go, leaving only reservist officers or
militiamen. Poursette is I hear to be chief gendarmerie ac
countant here: ach Gretchen!! The air literally hums with
intrigue now in Teheran. For a time there was a bit of an
anti foreigner feeling visible but that has practically passed
away: there is a small group at work to induce Persia to de
clare war against Turkey. Even among the Bakhtiaris, as I
told Sir Walter, I have found German sympathizers: the cabinet
is spineless, incompetent and helpless; the medjiless is yet
occupied with passing on the credentials of its members; one
rarely hears the parliament mentioned except contemptuously
even by Persians 2 ).
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