Coll 30/5(1) 'Persian Gulf Diaries: Bushire Residency (Persian) Jany. [sic] 1941.' [‎223r] (446/938)

withdrav/rij as part, it is understood, of proposed autumn opera
tions against the Qas]ggai. When in Shiraz, H.I'i. Consul took
an opportunity to see Aqai Qawarn, the Governor-General, and point
out that the moral effect of having a military column on the
southern approaches to the tribes 1 winter pastures (or, conversely,
the ill-effect.if the column was withdrawn, of seeing minor_chiefs
in a nominally settled area, able to defy Government authority)
was much greater than the mere presence of another battalion on
the migration route. This has apparently been disregarded;
and a secondary consequence will be to render any large scale
wheat collection in the Dashti-Tangistan-Southern Ports area almost
impossible.
The total number of rifles collected by these operations
is understood to be a mere 250 (authority -- the Governor of Bushire
This, however, disregards the important personal advantages that
have accrued to Colonel Rafcmju, and his adjutant, Captain Muza-
hiri. They will presumably be eventually put on trial and mulct
ed of a portion of their gains, sc completing the sequence of
this most remarkable system for the collection .of revenue*
(b) Dashtistan .
Shaikh Mohamed Chahkutahi (a son of the late Shaikh
Hussain Chahkutahi, one of Herr Wassmuss’ chief supporters in
1914-18) has, after several false starts-, previously reported,
now set to work seriously to re-establish his family’s claim to.
the lands from which they were exiled under Reza Shah; and has
signalized this by sending his armed thugs to seize the date
crop of the present occupiers of the lands.
VI■ PUBLIC RELATIONS .
K( thing to report.
VII FOOD SUPPLIES .
The Gulf Ports area is now working on three systemss-
(a) in the northern ports area, on a contract between Fathullah
Khan and H.M. Consul. (b) in Dashtistan and the Southern Ports
area, on contracts granted by the Shiraz Supply Department; (c)
In Dashtistan and Tangistan, under the Bushire Supply Department,
with (formerly) the assistance of the military c lumn.
The results to date are s- (a) about 1000 tons has been
delivered; (b) nothing yet,, (c) very small collections so far,
and the future gravely prejudiced by the withdrawal of the military
column (see above).
Collections are c nsiderably handicapped by lack of motor
transport, and it is not easy in this area to supplement it by
animal transport, owing to the grave losses of draught and pack
animals in the recent drought years.
VIII. COMMERCIAL aND SHIP P-lFG.
(i) One ship called at Bushire during the period under
report she landed 500 bales of cotton piecegoods, 20 drums of
paint, and 60 cases of distemper.
(ii) The
commodities.
following were the average prices of staple
Rials
R ials
per kilo
Mutton
18
Sugar
85
Ghee
63
Flour
9
Rice
20
Barley
4.25
Potatoes
(not available)
Charcoal
4
Tea
150
Milk
4.50
Eggs (each) , v
1.75