'Memorandum by Sir M Durand on the situation in Persia' [‎45v] (24/42)

Minister and bis associates are naturally interested in showing that the receipts are of no
account. Those who should he able to judge maintain that the monopoly is much va^d,
and the retention of the Posts for so many years by the same official may be taken as fair
proof of their value.
Development is much impeded by the disturbed state of the interior, insecurity to life
and property along the great highways doing much to hinder progress.
No. 10 .—Ministry of Telegraphs.
Administration. The Telegraph Department is organized on the lines of a private monopoly subsidized
and assisted by Government.
The Administration consists of a Minister with a staff of Persian and European
officials.
The actual revenue is fixed at 19,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. per annum, and this sum is theoretically
paid into the Treasury every year by the Minister. Actually nothing whatever is realized,
for against this credit must he debited the expenses for new lines, new instruments, salaries
of certain of the staff, all of which are met by Government.
The Indo-European and Indian Government telegraphs pay a percentage, being the
international tax on messages passing over their lines. This sum actually reaches the
Treasury, and suffers but slight shrinkage en route.
The system of monopoly acts in a manner detrimental to progress and extension; the
Minister, though one of the most enlightened of Persian officials, works the lines in his
own interests; an enormous staff, especially in the subordinate ranks, is maintained at the
expense of Government; projects for new lines are almost invariably obstructed by the
Minister, who fears that extension might lead to further demands on his private purse; and,
lastly, no check on the accounts can be maintained by Goverment, or any estimate made
as to the working value of the Administration.
No. 11.— The Foreign Office.
The Ministry.
Diplomatic and
Consular Service.
General note.
The Foreign Office is presided over by the Kavam-ul-Mulk, an old gentleman in
his dotage, who is privileged to figure in name as Chief of the Department. The actual
Chief is the Prime Minister, the Sadr Azm, who, with his Frist Secretary, the Mushir-
ul-Mulk, personally conducts the affairs of the Ministry.
The staff consists of several Secretaries dealing with English, Russian, Turkish -
Diplomatic business. Consular affairs, ceremonies of Court, records. As a rule all foreign
Representatives communicate directly with the Sadr Azm.
The Diplomatic and Consular Services form part of the Foreign Office, the Ambas
sadors and Ministers receiving their nominations from the Shah, and retaining their
appointments at the pleasure of His Majesty ; similarly, the more important Consuls obtain
their nominations by Royal favour.
Many of the appointments are of pecuniary value owing to the large returns derived
from passports, the sale of patronage and justice, &c. The posts of Constantinople and
Tiflis are more especially sought after on this account.
The Consulships abroad are usually given to bankers or others to whom the position
may be a matter of consideration, and who pay accordingly.
The Foreign Office suffers in exactly the same manner as every other Department of
the State—over-centralization, want of confidence in the subordinates, sale of office, a
disinclination on the part of the authorities to scrutinize too closely the action of its
servants, an entire lack of system and of business management being the main features of
its administration.
No. 12 .—The Council of State.
Sketch of the Couacil. The Council is an institution dating from the beginning of the reign of the present
Shah. A short sketch of its beginnings may prove of interest, as the principle involved in
its constitution is one of great importance.
In the early part of the reign the well-known Mirza Taghi Khan became Persian
Minister. He was a man of much character, ability, and patriotism; made the law feared,
and strengthened the authority of the Central Government. After some years of office
the Shah did him to death.
Another Sadr Azm, Mirza Aga Khan, of milder disposition and less disinterested
character, took his place. He was dispossessed after seven years of office.