File 3443/1914 Pt 3 'German War: Afghanistan and Persia; German agents; British troops in East Persia' [‎101v] (213/345)

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complains firstly that his son purchased and supplied to the Cossacks in Birjand
350 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. worth of fodder, for which M. Eomanovski has not caused him to be
paid, and secondly that after he had spent 300 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. on a house for the Vice-
Consul in Birjand M. de Bravine has refused to have anything to do with it.
(b) Mr. New and Shaukat-ul-Mulk both tell me that M. de Bravine is getting
on very amicably with His Excellency. I suppose that the friendliness is only
superficial at present. ^
Insecurity of the roads.
(a.) On the night of 23rd-24th January a Supply Contractor’s caravan
proceeding from Koh Malik Siah to Robat was attacked by six Baluchis at
Dorahi on the border-line, 14, out of 39, camels were carried off. The rest of tbe
caravan returned to Koh Malik Siah. All the goods were left on the ground by
both parties. Word was sent to Robat by the Consulate Trade Agent; and the
Border Thanedar, Zarif Khan, with five Chagai Levy sowars went out in pursuit
as quickly'as possible. The camels were overtaken at Dahak, about 40 miles
from the border, shots were exchanged, and the animals were recovered without
casualty. The party returned to Robat on the evening of the third day. The
camelmen claim to have lost four parcels of ‘ Jcanavez ’ (silk), but it is more probable
that they have themselves hidden them.
The Thanedar deserves great credit for his bold pursuit of the robbers in
foreign territory, in the special circumstances of the case.
(b) The Consulate post, which was looted, vide last diary, has not been recovered,
though one of the two men carrying it went after it for some distance and has not
returned. It is believed that the robbers, who are said to have been dressed like
men of Fahreh, may have been ecc-Telegraph-Line ghulams, who have fallen under
the influence of the Germans.
Baiuch raiders.
The Governor’s camel sowars succeeded in intercepting a band of 27
Ismailzai Baluchis at Garmab on about the 18th century. According to the
Birjand report five Baluchis were killed and two taken prisoners while 38 camels
were captured. According to a Sipeh report only six Baluchis escaped, of whom
four were wounded. They returned via Nakhlu and Gurg.
Afghan robbers.
(a) See Diary No. 3. The Deputy Governor of Dastgird and Duroh,
Muhammad Yusuf Khan Samuri, has visited Lash-Juwain to try and recover
the sheep recently looted from Shaukat-ul-Mulk’s flocks at Gulwardeh.
(Note. —This is not Muhammad Yusuf Khan of Awaz).
(b) I hear of a band of ten Afghans collected near Bandar Kamal Khan who
threaten to raid the Lutak-Koh Malik Siah road.
The weather.
The first fall of rain of any consequence in Sistan this winter occurred on
the night of 29th January. It amounted to 61 cents.
Our troops on the road to Neh also experienced bad weather on the 25th and
26th.
From Birjand, heavy snow and rain is reported on the 28th.
This ought to improve the harvest prospects and lower prices.
The NaivaJcil Tax in Sistan.
See Diary No. 1. The receipts during the month of Jadi (ending 21st January)
amounted to 543 Krans. The expenditure on collection was 341 Krans.
F. B. PRIDEAUX, Major,
His Britannic Majesty's Consul for Sistan and Kain.
G, M, Press, Simla.—No. C629 F,D,—23-2-16—30,—B.A,