'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' [‎43v] (91/143)

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tions to the scheme are of another kind. In addition to the fact that the
land is not the Shaikh’s but belongs partly, at all events, to the heirs of the
late Nizam-es-Saltaneh, whose claim the Shaikh has recognised by annual
payments of £3,000 or less, there is the question of Bani luruf to be con
sidered. This tribe inhabiting Hawlzah and the marshes of the Karkhan
stands to lose from any scheme which would diminish the volume of water
below Nahr Hashim, and unless they can be compensated, or overawed, then
opposition, if actually pushed, might make the execution of the project dim-
cult. But there is no reason to think that the tribe could not be compensated
by land on the new canals, nor that they would not accept such terms if the
Shaikh showed determination in enforcing his will in the matter.
The political uncertainties of 1909 and 1910 and the preoccupation of the
Shaikh in other directions precluded any active steps being then taken to
follow up the report of Sir W. Willcocks on this scheme. In October 1910,
however, the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. reminded the Shaikh of the favourable re
ports that had been rendered by Sir W. Willcocks in regard to this scheme
and suggested to him the advisability of taking active steps in the niatter.
He pointed out that strategically Kut Nahr Hashim was well placed and
that it would consolidate his rule to have a settlement there. The project
had never been particularly mentioned in Tehran and political considerations
would probably not be invoked to prevent its execution, nor is it a matter in
which international interests would need to be consulted. If he embarked
on any such domestic scheme himself he would have every reason for insisting
and the British Government for supporting him in demanding that he should
not be interfered with in the execution of it. In self-defence therefore, and
to prevent encroachment on his rights, he would be prudent to consider the
advisability of taking up this scheme without delay. His Majesty s Govern
ment would no doubt endeavour to introduce to him reliable financiers who
would lend him the whole or part of the money and would get an engineer to
make preliminary borings at his expense. But the first necessary step
seemed to be to decide what attitude he was in a position to assume, or could
most advisedly assume, towards the present Nizam-es-Saltaneh, who as he was
aware claimed rights of these lands, and was anxious to develop them, if need
be, with foreign assistance.
In January 1911, the Nizam-es-Saltaneh met the Shaikh at Ahwaz and
Mohammerah on his way to Bushire to assume the Governor Generalship ot
Pars. The whole question of the Nizam’s properties in ’Arabistan came under
review, and a tentative arrangement was come to whereby the Shaikh should
purchase half of all the Nizam’s properties in the name of Shaikh Kasib, the
former’s son, and should be the Nizam’s sole Agent in respect of the latter’s
share in such lands. Up to the end of 1911, however, no progress was made
in this direction.
PART III.
III. —Concession of Lands near Dizful to a Russian Subject.
The last scheme to be dealt with under the heading of Irrigation is that
for which a Russian subject named ’Abbas Aqa Tariverdieff obtained a con
cession from Riza Quli, Nizam-es-SaRaneh, in 1909. The area in question is
near Shush, some 15 miles south of Dizful, and lies between Zawiah village on
the north, Shush on the south, and is bounded on the east and west by the rivers
Diz and Karkhah, respectively. The period of the lease was for 25 years, in
return for which the lessee was bound to pay during the period of 25 years
a total sum of 136.000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. , in annual instalments commencing at 4,100
tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. a year and running up to 7,300 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. a year. On the other hand
failure to pay an instalment within one month of due date entailed the forfei- 1
1 Previous to 1882 the Karkhah flowed past Ue larre Arab town of Hawizeh. In order to cultivate
the eoun+rv on the north-east of the pla^e a person called FTashim du? a canal ah-iut 15 miles higher up the
river. The ground proved low. soft and vield’nv end soon required a dam to restrain the overflowing to the
Karkhah into the canal which eventually happened, leaving Hawizeh without warier. (Loftas, p. 430.) Bayard
puts the date of this event at 1837.