File 1749/1921 ‘Persian Gulf:- Residency news summaries 1921-25’ [‎161v] (337/494)

Major Reza Kuli Khan has arrived from Tehran.
A part of the Khanevari tax consisting of 600 kharwarb of wheat which was
under military control and was collected in Fareidan is to be sold and proceeds
allocated to military requirements.
An officer is now on his way from Tehran to supervise the military policing
of the roads. He is to have 400 men from the Isfahan division under him for the
purpose. Military guards have already been stationed on the Tehran, Shiraz,
and Nejafabad roads though it is not yet known to what extent.
Colonel Farajullah Khan, Commandant at Sultanabad, has been transferred
to Hamadan. He is much regretted by the people of Sultanabad where he was
liked and respected. He appears to be a capable officer. He is succeeded by
Lieutenant-Colonel Mahmood Khan as Officer Commanding.
Sarhang Muhammad Baghir Khan has been appointed to Yezd as Command
ant. He was in Yezd previously with the Germans during the war, went to
Mosul and was captured by the British and sent as a prisoner to India but after
wards escaped and returned to Persia. He wears the Iron Cross.
The main road from Isfahan to Shiraz seems undi&turbed at present but
is not considered suitable for British traffic or travellers. Interference with
caravans is expected when the spring migration commences. "With the existing
faulty arrangements for policing the roads, or for the payment of those charged
with the protection of traffic, it is generally unsafe to travel by that route.
The Isfahan press is showing distinct Bolshevik tendencies. Articles
advocating the abolition of Persian nobility, aristocracy and wealthier classes
and the division of their property on Communist lines are appearing in several
newspapers, notably the Tufan, which is understood to be subsidised by the
Russian Legation up to Ts. 600 a month. The Russian Consular Agent,
M. Choubine, seems to be inclose touch with the editors of the local newspapers,
who are frequently seen at his house.
Further signs of anti-British feeling are shown by the attempts at the instiga
tion of the ulema to close or interfere with the working of the Stuart Memorial
College. Some of the teachers appear to have been “ got at ” and a boycott of the
school is threatened.
The Kar Kunan water scheme for bringing Karun water to the Zendeh Rud,
referred to in the monthly Summary for January last, has apparently been sanc
tioned by the Medjlis which has approved Shukrullah Lombani s proposals and
estimate the advantages of the scheme are entirely problematical as the only survey
in existence is that prepared under Von Kaver’s auspices, when in charge of the
Zill-es-Sultan’s estates by a Russian engineer. The project as it stands at present
consists of damming up the Karun where the Mahmoud Ker affluent joins it and
forcing the water so raised through a cutting in the Kar Kunan pass of the Kuh-i-
Reng into the Zendeh Rud. The object is to increase irrigation and cultivation
along the banks of the Zendeh Rud.
A meeting of the members of the Syndicate was convened on the 16th March
which Mr. Sotham, who has been appointed Engineer in Chief, was invited to
attend. It was resolved to raise r is. 1,000 for Mr. Sotham’s initial expenses and
survey and to make arrangements for collecting Ts. 300,000 from the landowners
for starting the work. The Medjlis, it appears, has sanctioned Ts. 300,000 to be
paid by thd" Persian Government and to have authorized the collection of a further
Ts. 300,000 from the landowners to be remitted afterwards from their taxes.
Mr. Sotham thinks that the Persian Government have no idea of the magnitude
of the task but the Syndicate have directed him to make a prelimina-iy survey.
Mr. Sotham expects to find that the tunnel required will necessitate hewing
through 800 yards of solid rock with an approach of about 200 yards at either
end.
Bakhtiari. — All the Khans are on their way to the Garmsir except Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.
Muazzam and some of the younger Khans who remain behind to carry on the gov
ernment.