File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎364v] (733/804)

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No. 54, dated Kerman, the 13th July (received 8th August) 19l6 (Confidential).
Prom—B rigadieb-General Sir Percy Sykes, K.C.I.E., C.M.G., Inspector-General
South Persia Military Police,
To—The Secretary to the Government o£ I*dia in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment.
I have now been at Kerman a month and it seems desirable to give some
account of the political situation.
2. As already reported in my letter No. 19-P., dated 22nd June 1916, the
arrival of the column restored order, partly owing to the strength it represented
and partly because the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Nusrat felt himself strong enough to arrest the
habitual disturbers of the peace. Prom the start the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. N usrat has worked
most loyally with me in the interests of law and order and from every quarter
gratifying reports have been received of steady improvement.
3. The arrival of His Highness the Nusrat-u-Sultana, the favourite uncle
of the Shah and an inexperienced youth of 25, threatened to upset everything.
His Highness wished to dismiss the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Nusrat and to fill every office with
members of his own staff. This I declined to allow and I am thankful to say
that His Highness is now working well with the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Nusrat.
4. My relations with the new Governor-General were slightly difficult
at first, but His Highness, who was delighted at special honours paid him on
the parade held in honour of the Shah, has told me more than once that the
maintenance of Kajar dynasty depends on the success of my mission and that
be will help me in every way. We are at present on the best of terms and
settle the affairs of the province in our committee of three without the slightest
friction.
5. The more important cases of attack on British property and employes,
the purchase of goods known to be British and the Bruggmann case have all
been examined. In the two former series of cases, heavy fines have been
imposed which will, to some extent at any rate, indemnify the sufferers.
6. The Persian authorities readily handed over Obaydulla (the Turkish
Ambassador to Afghanistan), Bruggmann and two Germans. They are being
sent to India under escort.
I am sending Bruggmann with the other prisoners, as, although a neutral
subject, he accepted the post of German Consul and acted as jackal to the
Germans in their seizure of British property. It would be unwise to leave
him at Kerman. The prisoners and escort will march by Sirjan and will
there be joined by a German doctor, some Austrians and some Afghans, said
to be deserters. The Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Nusrat has helped me in every way to arrange
this somewhat delicate matter.
7. The military operations of Brigadier-General Dyer have conferred
distinct benefits on the inhabitants of Bam, Narmashirand Khabis which have
suffered terribly from Sarhaddi raids. Bahram Khan, owing to the salutary
fear inspired, is making overtures to the Persian authorities; and there is
every hope that, in time, a possible arrangement can be concluded with the wild
Baluch chiefs. Beports of General Dyer’s acceptance of Sarhaddis as British
subjects and the alleged erection of a fort at Khwash are well known at
Kerman; and, until I can authoritatively state that we are pacifying Persian
Baluchistan in the interests of Persia, my position is somewhat difficult.
8. Major Farran is recruiting for the new force and although handicapped
by the smallness of his staff and lack of equipment, everything is going well.
Here again the assistance of the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Nusrat is most valuable.
9. In conclusion the news that the column was to leave for Pars without
making any arrangements for the maintenance of order in Kerman, was
received by all classes with outspoken dismay which was certainly gratifying.
The arrangement sanctioned by which reinforcements are placed at my disposal
for Kerman or elsewhere has been welcomed with the utmost relief.
So far as the Kerman province is concerned, law and order can be maintained
provided that there is strict continuity of policy, although no really satis
factory An East India Company trading post. state of affairs is possible until the open sale of posts at Tehran can be