ملف ٢٢٩٧/ ١٩١٩ "تقارير شهرية للمقيمية البريطانية في الخليج الفارسي. ١٩١٢-١٩٢٠." [ظ‎‎٢‎١‎١] (١٠٤٤/٤٢٧)

8
Ahwaz.
i
16. Haji Rais, C.I.E., returned from his visit to the Khans at Ramuz on the
22nd and left for Muhammareh by the “ Nusret ” on the 24th instant. His delay
was due to a severe attack of fever, but, local rumour put it down to a meeting
with Yusuf Khan. Haji Rais describes Jang as openly hostile to the Shaikh and
veiledly so to us. He is apparently still welcoming Arab rebels with open arms.
Haji Rais tells me that Jang publicly reproached him with indifference to the fate
of Islam and that in open majlis he broke out into a querulous treble “ so Islam
is to count for nothing.”
All reports go to show that Sardar-i-Jang is more unpopular than ever with
I the Khans, who are determined to effect his elimination.
On his return journey Haji Rais passed through Wais, where he saw Shaikh
Anayeh and succeeded in persuading him to come into Ahwaz, along with Qasim
Ali Muhammad Fayaz Muhammad Masiq. 1 n spite, however, of solemn assurances
and the sealing of Korans, the Bawi are still genuinely afraid that the Shaikh of
Muhammareh is only biding his time to punish them. They seem to set some store
on Shaikh Handzal, being sent a hhilaat by the Shaikh as a sign that he is to re
main as Governor. Some mischief-makers warned the Bawi Chiefs that there was
a plot to inveigle them on board the “ Nusret ”and take them down to Muham-
mareh.
The Anglophobe quarter of Muh Gebi at Shushter, headed by Shaikh Murteza
and Baqir Khan, have announced that they will allow no provisions to leave for
Nasiri, as long as the British troops are there. Rais Ali has replied that he in his
turn will allow no tea, sugar, or piece-goods to be taken up by the Moin’s steamer
till this embargo is removed.
#
As a result of Haji Rais threat embargo at Shushter has now been raised.
As an indication of the nervousness of the local Arab tribes as to the inten-
Y tions ^er the Shaikh of Muhammareh and ourselves the recent move of the Anafijeh
to the Diz jungles may be cited. Their action was prompted by the fact that
a segregation camp for camels was formed 5 miles up stream on the right bank of
the Karun.
The news that Sardar-i-Jang has resigned the Ilkhaniship of the Bakhtiaris
j was received here with considerable satisfaction. A series of congratulatory tele
grams passed between the Shaikh and Mohtasham. The former has now definitely
demanded the expulsion of Arab agitators from Ramuz.
17. On July 1st it became known that Shaikh Handzal was to move into
Government House. This was generally interpreted as a sign that Shaikh Handzal
was definitely confirmed in the Governorship. The news gave general satisfaction
and has had the best of effects in the district.
I 8 - T he remainder of the wireless gear for the fields was sent up to Darra
Khazmeh on the 23rd instant, m a barge towed by the “ Moavin.”
Arabia.
Masqat.
19. There are reports of activity on the part of the rebels in the Wadi Hatat,
where 500 Bam Battash are reported to have done considerable damage to date
gardens. °
^ ifkey are reported to be at Hajjar, about 6 hours distance from Bait al Falaj,
the British Garrison headquarters.
Khan Sahib Nasib bin Mahomed, Naval contractor, who owns a date garden
there, received a letter from the Bam Battash demanding the payment of $ 1,100 as
zakat and warning him that if he failed to pay they would destroy his date trees,
subsequently the Khan Sahib received intimation from the Imam’s Wali of Hail,
now at Hajjar, steting that only $300 need be paid. The Khan Sahib is remitting
the money with H!s Highness knowledge and approval. His Highness the Sultan
visited Qaryat on the 10th on board the “ Nur-ul-Bahr ” returning to Masqat on
the 12th. He again left for Sohar on the 14th. His Highness informed the Political