'Report on the Quetta-Seistan [Sistan] Trade Route, for the year 1900-1901' [‎11v] (22/32)

■REPORT ON THE QUETTA-SEISTAN TRADE ROUTE FOR THE YEAR 1900-1901.
14,
bearing on the future of the trade route, I trust that it may receive the attention
which its importance merits.
53. I have little to record regarding my stay in Seistan. The Hashmat-ul-Mulk
greeted me with marked friendliness, and so far as I could judge the people them
selves appeared pleased to see me again. M. Miller, the Bussian Agent, did his
best to throw discredit on my visit by spreading reports abroad that I had come
provided with cannon, and large quantities of arms and ammunition for distribu
tion among British sympathisers in Seistan, indeed, he even went so far as to
announce that I cherished an intention of escalading Nasratabad fort. M. Miller
was successful in installing a certain amount of fear into the Persians, for the
Hashmat-ul-Mulk* ordered the fort to be repaired, and during most of the time
I was camped at Nasratabad sentries were stationed on guard on the towers.
The three combined escorts did present a somewhat formidable appearance, and
as there has never hitherto been so strong a gathering of Indian troops in Seistan,
it is not really surprising that the Bussian Agent* strove to neutralize the impres
sion which they created.
54. During the time I remained camped at Nasratabad, that is to say from
1st to 18th March 1901, I had many opportunities of learning what the feeling
in the country was towards us. Our influence in Seistan contmues predominant,
yet it would be a grave mistake to suppose that M. M iller, the Bussian Agent, has
been idle during the past twelve months. The Bussian Agent lias been remark
ably active, and I was disagreeable surprised to find what progress he had made
since my last visit towards consolidating his position. 1 found that he had
gathered round him a staff of Baluch, whom he pays well and employs as agents
on the Helmand, in Garmsel and in Sarhad, and whom he despatches, at intervals,
to Quetta to pick up news. It is true that the Baluch he employs are, for the most
part, men of shady antecedents and of little or no local influence, yet the fact
remains that he has native Baluch agents ready at hand to carry out his wishes,
and that he subsidizes an influential Mullah following, who are prepared to
further any views he puts forward without asking questions.
55. In his dealings with the iiashmat-ul-mulk, Governor of Seistan,
M. Miller shows that he is thoroughly conversant with the weaknesses of the
Persian official. Pear and self-interest are the key notes to which the Persian
most readily responds, and knowing this, and having failed in his attempts to
win the Hashmat-ul-Mulk over to his side, the Bussian Agent, shortly before my
arrival in Seistan, had recourse to aggressive tactics, essentially Bussian in type.
He arranged that the Governor-General of Khorasan should be informed that
the Hashmat-ul-Mulk, whose revenue was in arrears at the time, was accumula
ting treasure. This move was attended by complete success, and the Governor-
General despatched a “ Mamur ” to Seistan with an order addressed to the Hashmat-
ul-Mulk that he was to pay a large sum t of money into the Mashad Treasury at
once. 'Touched in his most sensitive spot, his pocket, the Hashmat-ul-Mulk
turned to us for assistance, but was informed that our Government could not
undertake to provide funds J to meet every squeeze the Governor-General of
Khorasan might think fit to make. The success of his manoeuvre has strength
ened tbe Bussian Agent’s position in Seistan very greatly, for it has proved to
the Persian Governor that the Bussian is a power with which he must reckon.
When I was in Seistan it was the Hashmat-ul-Mulk’s policy to offer us a series
of petty affronts which he explained away by saying that they were intended
to appease M. Miller. This appears to me to be an unhealthy state of aff airs.
SO. Touching our policy in Seistan, there are two questions to which I
trust I may be permitted to refer, as they both appear to me to need careful
attention. The first relates to Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Syed Khan JSarui, uncle to Sartip Mir
Masum Khan, the Hashmat-ul-Mulk’s son and heir. The Hashmat-ul-Mulk
and Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Pourdil Khan Sarbandi, who is the most influential man in Seistan,
after the Hashmat-ul-Mulk himself, are both firmly determined that Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.
Syed Khan Narui shall never return to Seistan. The young Sartip, who is
devotedly attached to his uncle, is as determined as they that he shall, and it is
# The Hashmat-ul-mulk himself affected to scoff at the reports which the Russian Agent spread.— F. W-
f Some 10,000 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. .— F. W.
X Since I wrote this I have received intimation from Colonel Trench that the Muawin-ut-Tijjar Mashad has
advanced the Hashmal-ul-Mulk a sum of money sufficient to meet the Governor-General’s demands. 1 am afraid, how
ever, that this only means a temporary respite, and that the Hashmat-ul-Mulk will find himself again involved in
pecuniary difficulties very shortly.— F. W.