ملف ١٩١٦/٣٣٦٠ الجزء ١ "مراسلات بلاد فارس (١٩١٦-١٩١٧)" [ظ‎‎٢‎٨] (٨٠٤/٦١)

r
t-IP *
4. The question of the construction of a bridge across the river near
Sivand and of a second bridge further up, had been a cause of some anxiety,
but Captain Williams explained that by blasting a road with the help of a
retaining wall, 800 yards long under some cliffs, the river need not be crossed
at all and the distance would be decreased by four miles. This improvement
was sanctioned.
5. Upon the road we passed through the Baseri tribe moving northwards.
Its members had stolen some camels and goods from a merchant; these we
recovered through the South Persia Bifles.
Crossing the river by two temporary bridges, we traversed the Kasridasht
Plain, then covered with the black tents of the notorious Kurshulis. Escorted
by heads of our levies, we reached Sadatabad, a fine village of 400 houses,
belonging to the Kawam-ul-Mulk.
Beyond, the Tang-i-Kamin seemed likely to prove a formidable obstacle,
but was not so, the track being fairly good throughout, although the loose
gravel in the river-bed was trying. Above it, were the ruins of a dam and
canal which carried water to the first Achaemenian capital of Pasargadae ;
also, by means of a channel cut in the cliffs, to the Kasridasht Plain.
To resume, the natural track was very good and we travelled fast, sighting
the tomb of Cyrus the Great, at Pasargadae, rising like a white tower in the
distance. A long ascent near Kadirabad was dangerously steep. This has
now been graded and a well is being dug, breaking up the long waterless-
lection.
6. At Dehbid, Captain Lilly met us, having ridden in on a motor bicyle
from Abadeh. Dehbid lies at about 7,000 feet and we ascended steadily to
the Kaoli Khush Pass which, although naturally good, is yet too steep for
wheeled traffic. It too will be graded. We then passed through Khan-i-
Khurri to Surmek, where we were welcomed by the Chief of our levies, who
is a village notable. We reached Abadeh an hour after dark with a run of
130 miles to our record.
7. Prom Abadeh the going is good. At Yazd-i-Khast there was a very
steep descent into the valley, and this was subsequently taken in hand. At
Kumishah we were met by the Muaiyid-us-Sultan, nephew of the Zill-u-
Sultan, and thence ran into Ispahan over a very good road, to be there
welcomed by Colonel Haig.
8. Leaving Ispahan we quitted the main road at Murchikhur, some 30
miles to the^ north, and, keeping to the west, traversed the district of
Mahallat, rejoining the main road at Kum. Petrol duly reached us at a
hamlet on the road and relieved us of much anxiety, and from a stage some
30 miles north of Kum we ran into Tehran. The total journey worked out
at some 600 miles which was accomplished in stages goino > north and in
5 stages on the return journey. Por an undeveloped country the going was
wonderful, and in places a good rate of speed was maintained. & North of
Yazd-i-Khast there w^as no natural obstacle to be cut through* or avoided.
The fact of the year being a dry one was favourable.
9. At Tehran, Sir Charles Marling introduced me to His Majesty the
Shah, to the Ala-us-Sultana, and to other Persian officials. The Ala-us-
Sultana, whom I had known for over 20 years, received me in the most
friendly spirit. I gave him a detailed account of my doings since my return
to Persia, and he promised me his full support. But when he visited His
Majesty’s Minister, he hardly acted up to his professions. The temporary
paralysis of Russia was then at its worst and the Persian “ Democrats ” took
the fullest advantage of it. In this connection,there were some assasinations
and the Prench Minister warned Colonel Hunter and myself that we were
in danger of a similar fate.
10. The return journey was delayed by the breakage of a shaft at
Ispahan. A new shaft was made and tempered with some difficulty and tne
journey was concluded without incident, thanks to Colonel Hunter’s skill
11. It now remains to give my impressions. Generally speaking I was
most favourably impressed. The road was safer than for many years and