تقارير ومراسلات تتعلق ببلاد فارس، بما يشمل التجارة ومساراتها في بلاد فارس [و‎‎١‎١‎٣] (٢٥٢/٢٢٥)

Diary of Major R. A. E. Bonn, His Britannic Majesty’s Vice-
Consul for Seistan, No. 7, for period from 12th to 30th
April 1901.
12M April 1901.—As mentioned in my last diary, I had intended leaving
Nasratabad to-day on a short tour to report on the proposed new caravan route
from hobat via the Palang Koh to Neh and Birjand. Owing, however, to the
unexpected arrival of Captain-Lieutenant Bode, whose movements appeared to
he somewhat mysterious, I deemed it advisable to postpone my departure for a
few days. The Russian Vice-Consul paid me a visit during the day. He came
to assure me that the stranger was not a Russian subject, and that he would in
no way be responsible for his future movements.
13th April .—During the night Captain Bode left Nasratabad for Warmal
in the direction of Robat. I sent my Head Clerk, Gul Muhammad Khan, to
inform him that he would not be allowed to cross the frontier into Baluchistan.
Munshi Gul Muhammad Khan, after delivering my message, returned in the
evening with a letter from Captain Bode, enclosing his passport for my inform
ation, and requesting me to grant him permission to travel by the Nushki route
to Quetta. I replied that a reference to the Government of India would he
* Letter to the Hon’ble the Agent to the Governor-
General in Baluchistan, No. 9, dated the 13th April
1901.
Tt legram to the Hon’ble the Agent to the Gov
ernor-General in Baluchistan, No. 10, dated the 17th
April 1901.
Telegram to the Hon’ble the Agent to the Gov
ernor-General in Baluchistan, No. 18, dated the 25th
April 1901.
arrival here, which gave rise to the general impression that he was of un
sound mind, can be accounted for by his naturally abrupt and agitated style of
conversation, his extreme irritability of temper when dealing with Persians, and
his scanty knowledge of the Persian language which is rendered almost unintel
ligible by his German accent.
Having arranged to have Captain Bode’s movements watched, and having
warned all the thanas between this and Robat of his presence in the neighbour
hood, I sent off my camp to Behring where I follow it to-morrow.
llth April .—March to Behring, 30 miles.
I received a letter from Captain Bode informing me of his intention to
wait in Seistan until he could obtain permission to use the Nushki route.
15th April .—March to Bandan, 36 miles.
16^ April .—March to Aliabad, 28 miles.
At this point roads from Birjand via Neh and Shuop, from Meshed via
Gazik, from Herat, from Seistan and from Robat via the Palang Koh, converge.
The latter is the route I am about to follow. The Khatkhuda of Aliabad is a
respectable and friendly old man. He gave me very great assistance, and is
keenly interested in the development of the short cut from Birjand via his
village to Robat. As no supplies and very little water exist at the stages ahead
of me, I decided to send back half my escort from here. Further details
regarding the road from this point will be found in the separate report attached
to this diary.
llth April .—March to Madeh, 14 miles.
There is a good road the whole way. The guide pitched my camp at
a spring about half a mile to the north of the ruined fort which exists here,where
the water was quite undrinkable. A very good karez exists close to the fort
which requires only a little digging to produce a good flow of drinkable water.
All springs except the one at the karez should be avoided, as they are very
saline.
necessary, and that a reply would take
over a month to reach me. I have already
submitted a detailed report* regarding
this gentleman and the action I took with
regard to him. I have now nothing more to
add to what I have already reported about
him, except that his eccentric manner on