ملف ١٧٤٩\ ١٩٢١ "الخليج الفارسي:- ملخصات إخبارية للمقيمية البريطانية ١٩٢١-١٩٢٥" [ظ‎‎١‎٥‎٠] (٤٩٤/٣١٥)

opinion at Isfahan at present seems to be that only a few inferior lands on the
Bakhtiari side are likely to be affected and that these lands only require a very small
quantity of river water so that it would be difficult to justify opposition on that
score. Moreover the requirements of the affected area could be given full care and
consideration when the results of the survey are known.
Mr. Sot ham reports that anthracite coal exists in considerable quantities about
two miles from Murchakor. It is said to lie about 40 feet below the surface and the
seam is believed to be about 4 feet. The land belongs to Mirza Muhammad Khan
Mushrif. Mr. Sotham is attempting to induce certain Persians to exploit it. He
has been approached on the subject by Ata-el-Mulk (formerly Lynch s Agent at
Isfahan) and it is understood that the latter has hopes of obtaining a concession for
working coal in the whole province. The Tujjar family are also interested but are
opposed to negotiating or sharing with Ata-el-Mufk in the enterprise. Mr. Sotham
who has seen specimens of the coal states that it is good fat anthracite. Coal is
also to be found near Kumisheh but the site is twice as far aw ay as that at Murcha
kor. Mr. Sotham considers the mine at Murchakor offers a good basis for business
developments. Ata-el-Mulk is already interested in the Kumisheh field and wants
to get hold of the Murchakor field also by taking out a concession for the whole
province. Mr. Sotham is daling with the Tujjar party who are in opposition and
has offered to open up the mine and work it for them if they will put up the neces
sary funds.
Shiraz.
M. Tampakoff. Russian Soviet Consul, arrived at Shiraz on the 24th May
accompanied by three Secretaries. The party consisted of persons altogether
including women and children. Mirza Abdul Karim Behbehani, ihe editor of the
Haqiqat the Bolshevik organ at Tehran is the Consulate Munshi,
The attitude of the Shirazis towards this Soviet invasion is as follows : (1)
the leaders of the newer section of Democrats, the editors of the Adala and Gulistan
are very pleased, and intend to give the Bolsheviks a warm welcome, due latter
are said to have had 20,000 Ts. given them for propaganda purposes, (2) the older
Democrats, newspaper writers, and politicians in the town are prepared to watch
Russian developments in Shiraz with some sympathy, particularly if there is money
to be gained by it, (3) landowners, notables and merchants are alarmed at possible
threat to their interests.
Muin-ut-Tujjar’s son informed His Majesty’s Consul that Soulot had replied
to a message from M. Tampakoff expressing a wish to pay him a visit by saying that
the Soviet Consul had better wait till the autumn migration. But it is reported
that M. Tampakoff motored out to the camp on the 28th and remained all day
with Sardar Ashair. On the 29th another Russian is said to have obtained horses
from one of Soulet's Secretaries and ridden out after dark. The Haqiqat had
several articles in April on an alleged attempt by the British to persuade Sardar
Ashair to enter into their political combinations in South Persia, and presum
ably the Russians are still hunting this hare.
On the 14th May, as directed by the Cabinet, a deputation consisting of Imam
Jumu on behalf of the “ Committee of Sufferers,’’ Prince Ibtih&j-us-Snltan on
behalf of the Cabinet and Dabir-i-Aazam, Secretary to the Governor-General,
went out to Soulet’s camp to obtain satisfaction for the claims. They returned
on the 16th, Soulet having agreed to pay a sum, on’certa in conditions, but he had
paid no compensation to the plundered landowners by the end of the month.
He. however, sent 2,000 Ts. to Nazim-ut-Touliyeh, one of the older Democrat sec
tion, to be divided amongst himself, Zia-ul-Udaba, and Khan Baba Khan, and
thus buv off a certain amount of Democrat opposition.
British claims for robberies and destruction of property by Kashgais since
September 1921, amounting to 8,663 Ts., have been presented 'to Sardar Ashair
through the Governor-General and the Prime Minister has telegraphed that satis
faction is to be given.
Soulet, having failed to respond to the suggestions made from Tehran that he
should proceed into Shiraz, Prince Ibtihaj-us-Sultan, Finance Agent, was nomine -
ed by the Minister of War as the Persian Government representative to be presen ■