'Administration Reports of the Persian Gulf, 1945 [-1946]' [‎115r] (242/414)

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September, however, it became clear that the Kashgais
had had one of their usual changes of heart and were
willing to co-operate with the Union. As a result of
this added strength the policy of the Union W3s changed
almost overnight from a peaceful one to that of armed
revolt against the Government, The aims of the revolt
were not and are still not clear, but undoubtedly were
chiefly directed agairrst the Tudeh party, ■ nd to a
lesser extent against excessive interference from Tehran
in local affairs. As the revolt progressed, personal
ambitionf and desire for power* among the leaders did
much to shape policy and hinder proress. The revolt
in this consular area was of short duration. It
commenced on September 19th and by midnight" of the 28th
all Government forces in Bushire had surrendered. Those
at at Khormuj surrendered on October 1st. Not long after
wards the Kashgais and others captured Kazerua, and
opened negotiations with Government. These proceeded
slowly and Bushire leaders were not often involved, as ^
they, had devoted themselves more to administering Bushire
than to thinking of the future. In fact it-was at first
doubtful if the agreement which was eventually announced
on the radi oa was applicable to the coastal area. Later
it became clear that it was, and a commission^visited
Bushire to settle details. Since the ©ain points of
agreement were still unknown, and as far as could be ,
ascertained were never reduced to writing in any sense
at all binding on either party, the commission achieved
very little. Nevertheless, it appeared that a genuine
settlement had been achieved including some measures
of transference of power from Tehran to Fars, and with the
return to Bushi :*e of the Governor, * the dispersal of
tribal forcesjHaiat Daudi r ent to Bhiraz with the object
of assisting in the establishment of a provincial council,
selection of candidates for the Majlis, etc. Not long-
after he came hurrying back. The success of the Persian
Government in AzerDa—jan, and the renewed, coniidence
of the army, had alarmed the tribal leaders who had
already allowed personal ambition and private jealous
ies to' undermine their unity and v^ho feared reprisals
which they were sn no longer in a position to resist.
As a result the whole position of the tribes vis a vis
the Government weakened at once. One demand of the
Prime minister was met after another, including even
the dissolution of the tribal party, and the adherence
of it's members of the Democrat party of the Frime Minister
and the outcome was uhe . loss ol al -l chat had been gained
by the revolt. But that apparently was not enough. New
and more difficult demands were made by the bhiraz army
commander who appeared to have taken ohe place of the
Governor General. Such was the position at the end of
the year, but whatever the final outcome of the affair
it is clear even now that the revolt has accentuated
old feelings and brought about new influences which will
undoubtedly affect future events. These may be summar
ised as
(a) The interdependence of Fars and the Bushire coastal
area, with Shir a z as tho. Muagfr much the most important
town in the area.
(b) The advantages of unity among the tribes, and the
ease with which, provided they are united, and acu jointly
and with determination, they can impose their wishes on
the Central Government. Conversely the ease with which
they can be over-/awed when not so united.
(c) The distrust, one might almost say dislike, of all
/tMngs which