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39
difficulty and crossed the frontier with over 100 of his followers into British
territory at Piran, north of Zahidan, where they were disarmed and sent under
escort to Nushki.
207. There is good reason to believe that the Ismailzais lost about fifteen
killed and wounded and the military force at least sixty dead and injured.
Most of these casualties occurred among the Amnieh (road guards), who bore
the brunt of the attack.
208. A new 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. Nazar Muhammad has been appointed and has promised
to work in close co-operation with the authorities and has agreed to surrender
all arms held by his tribe.
209. Juma Khan’s successful retirement to British territory has brought
about strained relations between the Governor of Mekran and the Divisional
Commander, Sar Lashgar (Major-General) Mahmud Amini. Each alleges that
the defective arrangements of the other facilitated the escape of the Ismailzai
chief.
210. However, this sudden action by the military authorities, in spite of
its failure to achieve its main object, the capture of Juma Khan himself, cannot
but enhance the prestige of the Government in Iranian Baluchistan and will
conduce to the pacification of this long-disturbed area.
211. The Iranian authorities still appear to regard Juma Khan Ismailzai
as a source of danger; even though he is far removed from the border and under
surveillance, they fear that he will organise raids in Iranian Mekran and are
therefore taking necessary precautions.
Conscription.
212. Conscription continues to work smoothly and quotas have been coming
in regularly. Still further extensions of conscription have been made among
certain sections of Kurds, Qashgais, Bakhtiari and Baluchi tribesmen. The
benefit of a period of military service is already beginning to show itself amongst
those who have returned to civilian life, both physically and mentally the
difference is most marked.
213. In June a new conscription law was passed by the Majlis. The law
makes it much harder to obtain exemption from military service. The duties
and procedure of recruiting committees have been carefully laid down which was
not the case in the previous law of 1931. Conscript service is divided as
follows :—
Two years with the colours at the age of 21.
Four years in the reserve, during the last of which the reservist carries
out one month’s training.
Fourteen years in the 1st supplementary reserve during which he does
six periods of one month’s training.
Five years in the 2nd supplementary reserve.
214. The regular calling up and training of reservists has commenced. This
year those reservists who left the colours in 1928 and who should have completed
their first period of reserve training in 1932 were called up for training.
215. In view of the paucity of officers and n.c.o. instructors the problem of
making up such arrears in reservists training is formidable.
Staff College and Military A cademy.
216. The young officer graduates from the Staff College (“ Fcole Superieure
de Guerre ”) are good material and both keen and intelligent. It will, however,
take years before they can make their influence felt against the idleness and
conservative obstinacy of their superiors, especially in provincial formations.
217. In the Military Academy (“ Fcole de Guerre ”) in Tehran, His Royal
Highness the Crown Prince concluded his two years’ studies. He has emerged
with all honours that were available. He was placed first in his particular year
and together with the other successful candidates received his commission
as a second lieutenant from His Imperial Majesty the Shah at the annual
‘ ‘ passing out ’ ’ ceremony.
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