'Seistan' [‎96v] (192/782)

Increased demand by the Persian Government on Setstan revenues. —As
already stated, nothing definite has been settled. The emissaries from the Wall
are still awaiting replies from Meshed, and owing to the influence I have acquired
over Mustophi "Khalik Khan, the affair will settle itself amicably in the end.
During conversation with the Mustophi I have suggested to him that a caravan
serai for the use of traders is a necessity here. I pointed out to him that to
allow the Indian traders and perhaps Hindus to find quarters any where in the
town might lead to trouble besides being inconvenient to the customs authorities.
The arguments appeared to him to be reasonable, and he was in favour of
the suggestion. He said he would mention it to the Wall and get permission
for us to build anything we liked in that way, and would recommend that the
Persian Government should build a caravan-sarai here. I do not put much faith
in his promise to write for this sanction, but it is as well that the suggestion
should be in the air so as not to come as a surprise when we do ask for a
caravan-serai.
Customs dues hi Sieslan .—The Customs duties may call for some remarks
later on. As the concession for Persian customs has been given to the Belgians,
arrangements have already been begun here to carry out the levying of them
under their direction.
As reported in my Diary No. 7 for 30th May, Colonel Temple sent me a
letter of introduction from Mr. Castaique for one Sayad Hosain who would come
to arrange matters. This official has not yet put in an appearance. He seems
to have had trouble with the Birjand merchants which has delayed him. His
servant is here and came to see me as stated in my diary.
As far as l can understand, the concession allows the agreed 5 per cent, ad
valorem duty on Russian and English goods from across the border, and also
1 in 27 on all internal traffic, exempting of course goods which have paid the
5 per cent, ad valorem.
The next point was that goods coming from India would pay their duty at
Seistan or provide local security. Local security is not easy to obtain for Indian
merchants coming from India, and it will facilitate matters if they pay their 5
per cent duty in Seistan and so save themselves further annoyance. They can
always bring a “ barat ” on Seth Suleiman for any money necessary. In Seistan
the British Consul can, too, protect their interests.
This latter course pleases the Persians better than giving security, as the
Customs people always distrust any one who does not pay duty fearing he will
smuggle his goods into Afghanistan.
There remains the question of value. The Customs official here before
mentioned argued that he had a right to 5 per cent, on the price realized by the mer
chandize in Seistan not on its marked value in India or wherever it was bought.
1 pointed out to him the impossibilities first of inspecting every article that came
and next of valuing it independent of its value entered in the invoice of the trader.
I also said that if a trader brought a caravan of miscellaneous goods for Meshed
and insisted on paying the dues here, it would be quite out of the question for
him to levy customs according to the selling rates in Meshed.
The local Customs official agreed to my reasoning and said he would obtain
fresh orders on this point. In the meanwhile I apprehend no difficulty in arrang
ing an agreement with him for duty on caravans coming before Sayad Hosain
arrives.
It is said that a Customs house will be built here and the Customs flag will
fly over it and all merchandize will be bound to pass through the serai. It is
not yet determined where this serai will be built. The matter presents some
difficulty. If it is built between this and Rabat, it will of course catch the Indian
trade easiest, but to put it some 30 or 40 miles away from the capital would be
very convenient for traders wishing to refer to the Consul who must be at Nusra-
tabad. If the Custom House is at Nusratabad, it is off the direct road between
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