'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf Political Residency for the Years 1911-1914' [‎9v] (23/488)

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ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULP
of some difficulty; the position is little better elsewhere in Southern Persia,
from Kerman to Kermanshah, with the exception of Arahistan.
It is of interest to note that the anti-foreign demonstrations consequent
on Russian action in the north, which unfortunately were at their height at
the time of the Coronation Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). , were promptly suppressed by the new
Governor-General, Prince Amir-i-A'zam, and cordial relations between
Persian officials and the Consulates resumed.
The large number of British subjects now reported in Arabistan or on
the oil-fields (614 British Indians and
Atabistan - 78 British subjects) is the best indica
tion of the progress of British industry in the Province, which alone in Persia
has remained in its normal state of contentment and peace throughout the
year, thanks to the firmness and ability of Shaikh Sir Khaz'al Khan s regime.
His attitude to British interests generally has left nothing to be desired, and
it is satisfactory to note that his officials have now followed his example, a
development which shows how fully the Shaikh and his people realise what
they owe to the steadfast friendship of the British Government.
The general expansion of business consequent upon two good harvests
was unfortunately discounted by a virulent epidemic of cholera, which reached
Mohammerah from Basrah and spread northwards to Ahwaz and elsewhere,
exacting a heavy toll not only from the indigenous population, but from a
detachment of Indian Cavalry on its way back to Ispahan, and on the small
European colony of whom no less than seven died during the year.
Amongst the indirect effects of the epidemic must be reckoned the delay
in completion of the Oil Company's refinery at Baraim, due to the appearance
of cholera there.
The career of the Ittila'-ed-Dowleh, the representative of the Persian
Foreign Office in Mohammerah, is a typical one of some general interest; like
most of- his class he was frankly venal, but while Karguzar at Bushire his
propensities in this direction being reasonably satisfied in one way or another,
he was practically helpful to British interests. Failure on our part, how
ever, to give him effective support when in difficulties, partly on our account,
with another Foreign Consulate, resulting in his transfer to Mohammerah,
brought about a complete change of demeanour, and from the moment of his
translation to Mohammerah all his endeavours, both diplomatic and journal
istic, were directed in the channels most calculated to harm our interests and
strain our relations with the Central Government in regard to matters of
policy in the south.
Finally, however, he overreached himself, lost his post, and left for
Kermanshah, where he ultimately figured in the tale of those hanged by the
Salar-ed-Dowleh, on his recapture of Kermanshah.
The determined attitude taken up by the Shaikh on the question of
Monsieur Zwinne's return to Mohammerah deserves note, as also does the
compromise effected with the assistance of His Majesty's Legation, with
regard to the posting of a Belgian Customs Director to Ahwaz, a step to which
the Shaikh gave his consent, after a useful and not unneeded assertion of his
position, and in return for a payment of about £500 a year by the Customs.
The effect of the stand made by the Shaikh in these matters has been to
give a new lease of life to his Customs firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). , which Belgian Customs offi-
cials had been too apt in the past to regard as obsolescent.
Major Haworth gives an interesting summary of the Shaikh's relations
with his tribal neighbours, particularly with the Bakhtiaris, whose increas
ing identification with the Central Government he, in common with other
tribal Chiefs, greatly resents; the spectacle of a Bakhtiari Prime Minister
and Minister for War (and a Bakhtiari as candidate for the post of Trea
surer-General vice Mr. Shuster) practically controlling the Cabinet and
utilising the resources of the Government to promote their own interests,
greatly increased the tension which has long existed between the parties; and
the absence for the greater part of the year of any Governor-General at
Shushtar added to the difficulties of the position. Luckily the Shaikh is
well able to look after himself, and has the undivided support of all the Arab