'A Précis of the Relations of the British Government with the Tribes and Shaikhs of 'Arabistan By Lieutenant A T Wilson, Acting Consul for Arabistan' [‎24r] (52/143)

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CHAPTER VI.
Shaikh Khaz’al’s Rule.
Political relations with British Government.
Shaikh Miz’al Khan, son of HajI Jabir Khan, was assassinated on July
3rd, 1897, when landing from his boat opposite his palace at Failiyah.
The actual murderers were three negroes who seem to have been instigated
to commit the deed by Salman bin Mansur, the chief of the Muhaisin tribe, a
cousin of Miz al. Shaikh Khaz’al is supposed to have been privy to the
murder, even if he did not actually instigate it.
It was feared at first that the sudden death of Shaikh Miz’al would give
rise to trouble, but nothing untoward occurred, though the population of
Mohammerah went armed for a few days. The roads were unsafe through
out the year, but this was owing to the bad harvests, to which cause may also
be ascribed the complaints of robberies received during the year from Messrs.
Hotz and Lynch Brothers.
I he Governorship of Mohammerah and of the tribes was at once assumed
by Shaikh Khaz’al, Shaikh Miz’al’s brother, after tribal election which was
subsequently confirmed by the Persian Government.
Shaikh Khaz’al two years before his accession had secretly announced
his intention, in the event of his obtaining the Shaikhship, of encouraging
British enterprise in his dominions. Until he actually became Shaikh, how
ever, the British Government were careful to give no kind of countenance to
his ambitions.
As soon as he became Shaikh, he told His Majesty’s Vice-Consul “ that
he had promised to assist British trade, should he be in position to do so, and
that he was prepared to carry out those promises now. He wished us to know
that he was secretly our friend, although it might not be politic to show it
openly. He wished to serve the British Government and if he was not
accepted as a servant he would still render service, hoping that he might
profit by it some day.” In forwarding this expression of view Mr. McDouall
expressed the belief that the underhand opposition to Karun trade which had
characterised Shaikh Miz’al’s rule would now cease and hoped that the
Persian Government would recognise the Shaikh officially, as if an opposition
candidate was to be sent up for the Governorship of Mohammerah the country
w^ould relapse into anarchy. Later on, the Shaikh told His Majesty’s Consul
that he was anxious, as he had said before, to encourage trade and become a
servant of the British Government. Questioned as to his meaning, he ex
plained that he might be deposed by the Persian Government, in which case
he might need asylum at Bombay for a year or two. He added, referring
apparently to the possible break up of Persia, that the Government was
getting weaker every day, and that our help might some day be invaluable to
him.
The Shaikh lost no time in sending his Secretary HajI Muhammad ’Ali,
Rais-ut-Tujjar, to Tehran in order to secure his recognition by the Persian
Government. On hearing this, His Majesty’s Minister there instructed
Mr. McDouall to advise the Shaikh to tell HajI Rais to call at the Legation as
soon as possible after his arrival in Tehran : the Legation would do all in
their power to protect the Shaikh’s interests, and he in turn should do all that
was possible to promote British commercial interests now and in the future
in his district. The Shaikh replied he did not trust HajI Rais sufficiently
to write to him in this sense, but would inform him as soon as he arrived in
Tehran. HajI Rais arrived on December 21st, 1897, and was well received by
the Sadr A’zam. The Persian Government at once confirmed the Shaikh as
Governor of Mohammerah, and continued to him the title of Mui’zz-es-Sal-
taneh, which his brother had borne.
From the beginning he evinced a friendly disposition to British interests,
and withdrew the steamer which had been run by his predecessor in opposi-