File 1110/1916 Pt 2 'Persia: SITUATION Miscellaneous' [‎69v] (143/276)

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Telegram P., No. 226 C., dated (and received) the 22nd April 1916.
Prom—His Britannic Majesty’s Consul for Sistan and Kain, Robat,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
Please refer to my telegram No. 37 F. of the 16th April.
Heron informed me on April 18th that his levies had fought as well as lie
expected, though when enemy charged boldly across open in superior numbers
they failed entirely to hold ground. {Note .—Eighteen Punjabi sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. on
same occasion fled straight to Koh-i-Malik Siah and reported that whole force
had been killed or captured.) In a tight place Heron thought that levies could
not be relied on, but he thought also that their superior pace made them useful
for scouting and the seizing of advantageous positions. They proposed on the
day before the fight to parley with enemy and demand restoration of all
flocks. A man who fought most prominently for us was Juma Jelal, last
joined Jemadar and notorious outlaw.
At 7 a. m., on April 20th, Heron heard from Sipeh by telephone that
Baluch from Narmeshir had come to take away families of Ali Shah’s clan
and were looting telegraph office. Message suddenly ceased. According to
Heron, Ali Shah had probably come himself. This was apparently not
repeated to Officer Commanding, Robat, as it, should have been. 1 replied,
sending copy to Wikeley giving my opinion that the cavalry (viz., two troops
and machine gun section under Captain James and Lieutenant Wahl at
Hehaneh) had an excellent opportunity of w iping Ali Shah out if action were
taken quickly supposing Ali Shah had really returned that day to Sipeh to
carry away his property.
Officer Commanding, Robat, concurred and ordered James to comply with
Heron’s recommendation.
Heron reported about 10 a.m. to Officer Commanding, Robat, and myself
that, according to a Consulate Ghulam (who wms ej>soldier) and his escort
Huffadar Idu Khan, Levy Jemadar, had been reproaching the Erahuis for
killing their brother Muhammadans, and that many levies had only fired in
the air on April 13th. Heron regarded Jemadar Mulla Sadiq, brother of
Russian Ghulam Bashi, as absolutely to be trusted and Jemadar Juma and
Tara Din Gurgich as perhaps to be trusted, but (thought that) Idu Khan and
Nazarjan (e#-Jemadar postal sowars and British protege since mission days)
were hoping that Jehind would not be defeated or the Izzat of Baluch and
Brahuis would be lowered.
Heron accordingly concluded that most of his levies were thoroughly
untrustworthy and might even be capable of treachery.
In a separate telegram No. 227 C., I am sending copies (of) proposals
made by Wikeley and my reply. It will appear from these that Wikeley does
not even know the composition of horse levies at Sisran, These are Baluch
retainers of settled Sardars and cultivators themselves while Brahui camel
sow r ars are Nomad graziers to a man.
91
Telegram P., No. 227 C., dated the 22nd (received 23rd) April 1916.
From—His Britannic Majesty’s Consul for Sistan and Kain,
Jo—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment.
Wikeley at Robat sent following telegram, No. 371, to Captain James and
Major Heron, Dehaneh, and myself on April 20th afternoon :— Begins. Major
Claridge and I have always thought these levies untrustworthy. In Major
Heron’s conclusions I concur and consider that Captain Bennett should not
take military measures against Ali Shah until the levies at Dehaneh are
disarmed and rendered powerless for mischief.