File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎29r] (62/804)

b ^ th and r ere travellin g al °ng it and refusing escorts:
Thanks to the efficiency ot the South Persia Rifles, everywhere the people
were reaping in peace, whereas last year the nomads plundered the ripe crops!
Moreover this year locusts have done very little harm and the crops are good.
The arrangements come to by His Majesty’s Consul with the Kawam and
Souiat, have materially aided in the improvement of the situation, apart
iiom the fact that our caravans under necessarily small escorts have been
moved all oyer the country without a single case of serious attack. The
money that is being expended on this work is well laid out and has probably
saved repeated military action at a difficult period. r J
To give a concrete example, the Governor of Kumishah said that last
year he himself had suffered from ten robberies of cattle, sheep, etc. bv
midsummer, but that this year these robberies had ceased owing to the orders
of the Soulat-ed-Dowlah. On the reverse side is the fact that the dismissal of
the capable Zargham-ed-Dowlah, has encouraged the enemies of law and order
in the Ispahan Province.
12. At Abadeh, the state of affairs is most satisfactory. The British
officers and non-commissioned officers are on excellent terms with their
Persian comrades and in a recent successful skirmish with robbers, the Persians
had highly appreciated British valour, while the British spoke highly of the
courage displayed by the Persians. Owing to this discipline was very good.
The barracks were clean and there was a feeling of progress in the. air.
The drilling and stable management were good. Captain Lilly has already
made a name for himself for energy, capacity and tact, which, in itself, will
make the pacification of the country easier. On the other hand, it must be
remembered that constant attempts are being made by “ Democrats” to
excite disaffection in the ranks and it would be unwise to ignore their efforts.
13. At Dehbid, upon the return journey, we were met by Major
Williams of the Burma Mounted Infantry. He reported a very successful
attack on the Kurshulis who had stolen 600 sheep and declined to return
them. Making a night march of 32 miles, partly over a range, with his
Burma Mounted Infantry and a double company of the 124th Baluchistan
Infantry, he attacked the Kurshulis who held a fort and were supported by
contingents from the Kashgai and Baseri, news of the intended attack
having reached them.
In spite of intense fatigue, the fort was attacked and taken, and con
siderable casualties inflicted on the Kurshulis, whose loss in dead alone was
23 against or e man killed on our side. A separate report on this brilliant
little affair will be submitted later.
14. In conclusion, Sir, the restoration of order and British prestige,
together with the re-establishment of the authority of the Persian Govern
ment, have made immense progress during the last few months and, so far as
Pars and Kerman are concerned, there are only a few Khans near Bushire,
who are still in rebellion. It is unwise to prophecy and impossible to forecast
the changes in the political situation, but provided that the system which is
now working is not upset but developed, and provided that the temporary
pecuniary subsidies to the Kawam-ul-Mulk and Soulat-ed-Dowlah are
continued, it may be confidently expected that the ask set will be
accomplished.
15. Copies of this despatch are being sent to the Poreign Department
and Chief of General Staff, Simla, to the Deputy Resident, Bushire, to Sir
Percy Cox, and to His Majesty’s Consul, Shiraz.
73
No. 331-G., dated Shiraz, the 18th July (received 19th September) 1917 (Confidential).
Prom— Brigadier-General Sir Percy Sykes, K.C.I.E., C.M.G., Inspector-
General, South Persia Rifles,
To Sir Charles Marling, K.C.M.G., C.B., His Britannic Majesty’s Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of His Imperial
Majesty the Shah of Persia.
I have the honour to forward an able appreciation on the military
situation in Southern Persia, drawn up by Lieutenant-Colonel Orton, in