'SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS AND MEASURES OF THE VICEROYALTY OF HIS EXCELLENCY LORD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. I. JANUARY 1899-APRIL 1904. II. DECEMBER 1904-NOVEMBER 1905. VOLUME IV. PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN GULF.' [‎88r] (180/386)

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could be obtained from Tehran. The escort eventually proceeded quickly by
the Tarakun route to the mission camp and reached Meshed on the 23rd June
1904. Escorts for the other Consulates were speedily despatched, matters
having meanwhile been settled with the Persian Government, and by the
end of 1904, had all reached their destinations.
8. The scheme as originally sanctioned by the Secretary of State under-
Total strength of escorts in Persia- went numerous modifications. The final
distribution stands as given below
Bushire ...
• • t
• • •
t • •
9
Sowars.*
Ispahan ...
• • •
8
»
Kerman ...
• • •
t • •
6
jf
Seistan ...
• • •
• ••
20
9 >
Meshed ...
• ••
• ••
• • •
24
)>
Tehran
• ••
• • •
• • •
8t
If
Tabriz
• • •
6
1)
Bander Abbas
• • •
16
Infantry f
sowars 4
Turbat-i-Haidari
25
Sowars.
Shiraz
• M
• • •
6
tt
Kermanshah
• • *
12
Jf
Ahwaz
• ••
Total
• ••
8
152
f)
9. At the close of 1904, the Russian Government increased their Consular
Increase to Russian Consular escort escort in Seistan from 27 to 30 Cossacks
in seistan. an d Lord Curzon supported by Sir A.
Hardinge immediately proposed to His Majesty’s Government to increase the
British guard to a similar number, but His Majesty’s Government rejected the
proposal on the ground that the present increase (3) to the Russian Guard was
of a petty nature.
10. On more than one occasion, notably in
Proposed withdrawal of Consular presence of these
October 1904, the
Indian Guards was
guards. objected to by the Persian Government
who suggested that they should be withdrawn if the Russian Government would
agree to act similarly, but the reply given was that their removal would expose
our officers and interests to serious risks and that their retention was justified
by the disturbed state of the country as evidenced by the Seistan riots (June
1; 03), unrest at Meshed, (May 1904) constant insecurity around Kerman and
Bunder Abbas; chronic turmoil in Arabistan and Luristan ; and by the out
rages at Urumia 1903-04. The sole efficient regiment in the Persian army was
a Cossack Brigade controlled by Russian officers and in view of this fact it was
pointed out that British interests would still be at a disadvantage by with
drawal of British escorts even if the Russian Government agreed to withdraw
their escorts. The Grand Vizier was, however, informed that a basis for
discussion might be found if the Shah would organise a corresponding levy raised
and supervised by British officers.
11. In addition to these Consular guards there was on Persian soil a detach-
, , _ , ment of 100 lufantrv, 50 at Jask and
Jask and Charbar Detachment. r
the same number at Charbar as a guard tor
the telegraph officials of the Indo-European Telegraph Department. This detach
ment was sent there in January 1898, in consequence of the murder of Mr. Graves,
a British Telegraph Official of the Indo-European Telegraph Department, and of
the disturbed state of Baluchistan. The military authorities from time to time
enquired in connection with the provision of proper accommodation whether
the men should be withdrawn but the reply was always that they should be
retained. Lord Curzon’s last order of September 1901 was as follows, “ both
places are important and are likely to become more so. I would provide proper
accommodation for the troops, and give an impression of permanent occupation
even if we do not intend to effect it.
• Detachments from Indian array to bo introduced by degrees.
f This number does not include 1 salutri and 1 farrier, who were sent to Tehran on the 6th December 1903 to take
over the veterinary work of the Legation.
X The despatch of the 16 infantry has been postponed.