'Report on the Persian Army' [‎69v] (138/170)

128
Barrackfl.
Tlie total budget of the brigade is 219,000 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. for the
year 21st March to 21st March.
The Cossacks occupy in winter two-thirds of the large
enclosure on the northern side of the grand parade ground.
This enclosure is taken up by the guns and horses, officers’
mess room, hospital, store rooms, wagon shed, magazine, etc.
Accommodation as yet has only been provided for a sufficient
number of men to take charge of the artillery horses, and to
provide small cavalry guards, the total number of men in
barracks being about 130, all told. Space is, however, available
for a greater number, and it is probable that huts will be erected
as money is found available. The balance of the men, with
their horses, live in their own private quarters in the town. In
summer the brigade camps a few miles out of town to the
north in a garden known as the Cossack Camp, near the Shah’s
palace of Kasr Kajar. r l here the men live in tents or temporary
shelters, the horses being picketed in the open, with roof
protection. 1 he camp is well watered and timbered, and
resembles in all essentials the summer camps found near
garrisons in Trans-Caspia and Ferghana.
The Russian officers are, with the exception of the com
mandant, engaged under contract for three years’ service.
1 he commandant is permitted to remain as long as his services
can be spared by the Russian Government.
The Russian sous-officiers are engaged indefinitely.
The Persian officers up to the grade of Sultan (captain) are
appointed by the commandant ; from Sultan to Sarhang
(colonel) by the Sadr Azm ; higher grades by the Shah.
i he men are recruited by the commandant, who controls
a fines ions o enlistment or discharge without interference on
the part of the Persian Government. The service is popular,
owing to regularity of payment and the prestige attached to
the Cossack uniform. The classes from which recruits are
drawn are:—
the Turks from Azerbaijan and Kasvin.
1 he nomad tribes in the neighbourhood of Tehran, Korn,
Kasvin. ’
Gilanis (very few).
Persians.
tioiw>f brigade, in expressing his apprecia-
noLdL T °L the 11 bri e ade ’ said that the Turks and
solXriv n P i’v erred n t0 a others owin g to their warlike and
havine^alimv 1 Persians are greatly disliked, experience
worth? ‘inrl w f- em t0 be ies ^ ve under discipline, untrust
worthy, and wanting in courage.
a hi the Cossack Brigade
tionsand militm-v ^^phned force, somewhat deficient in
status of the } when judged from a European standpoint,
^ efficiencv Id^ f^ied a remarkable degree of
y8uperior to ' ,nythin6Pe ™ ^
Employment
of Russian
officers.
Russian
sous-officiers.
Appoint
ment of
Persian
officers.
Recruit
ment.
Military
qualifica<
tions and