'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎609] (678/714)

THE ARMY
609
tury earlier, that drew from the reflective H an way the following
ratiocination:—
It seemed to be established as a custom in Persia for military people
to pillage wherever they go, at least to compel the peasants to procure
provisions for them. This is the occasion of the latter being deaf to
all importunities on any principle of humanity or the laws of hospi
tality. 1
It remains only to add that of army administration there is
practically none. Arrangements for commissariat or transport do
Military 11ex i s ^ there is no ambulance corps, contracts for
udminis- clothing are sold to the highest bidder, and the last thino-
tration • i • i ■ i • &
m which there is any nnilormity is uniform. In fact, a
more irregular army, in the most literal sense of the word, does
not exist on the face of the globe. Irregular in its enlistment,
dress, arms, ammunition, discipline, and service, it would be strange
if its conduct were not irregular also.
For the lamentable condition of the Persian rank and file, the
system, and not the individual, is indeed primarily responsible. Mili
tary administration falls under the same category as civil administra
tion in Teheran, presents the same features, and is disfigured by the
same vices. A smart, or imposing, or plausible appearance covers
deception and fraud, and the canker of peculation eats its way into
the vitals of the service. This applies equally to pay, to armament,
and to organisation. Commissions, as I have pointed out, are
bought and sold. If a seeming paradox may be permitted, the
soldier has even to pay for his pay; for a certain portion is
deducted by his superior officer as discount upon anything ap
proaching punctual payment. The secret of a reorganisation of
the Persian forces would be a Government guarantee of regular pay.
In peace the army is now a loose aggregation of slovenly units, in
war it degenerates on the least provocation into a rabble. But
by such simple means, and with capable officers, it might in a
few years be converted into a creditable body of men.
That there is no intrinsic improbability in such a transformation,
Qualities but, on the contrary, that there is in the personnel and
Of the Per- stamina of the Persian recruit the basis of a military esta-
sian recruit r. • i,
blishment ot quite uncommon excellence, may be proved
by the opinions of a long succession of competent authorities.
1 Historical Account, Sfc., vol. i. p. 236.
VOL. I. R li