Coll 28/39(2) ‘Persia. Printed Correspondence, 1937–’ [‎28v] (56/320)

Enclosure I to Serial No. (45).
Letter from the British Consulate. Shiraz, to the British Legation, Tehran,
No. 5, dated the 6th February 1937.
With reference to Mr. Butler’s circular despatch No. 6 (232/3/36) of L5fch Feb
ruary 1936, and to Mr. Gault’s despatch No. 25, of 18th November last, I have the
honour to transmit copy of a Summary of Events and Conditions in Fars during
the year 1936.
2. The report is based upon the monthly diaries of this Consulate and upon
other reports submitted by my predecessors at this post and is prepared annually
at the request of 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
3. The summary contains sections on agriculture and on economic affairs,
and it covers much of the ground suggested for further survey in your circular des
patch No. 5 of 16th January (119/1/37). It is unlikely that more material will
come to hand for another report before I go to Isfahan, as I am proposing to do soon
after the No Rouz. Any items of economic information thought to be of interest
will continue to be reported in my monthly diary.
Enclosure II to Serial No. (45).
Summary of Events and Conditions in the Province of Ears during
THE YEAR 1936.
General situation.
L The situation has remained quiet and the Central Government has conti
nued to extend its influence in the economic development of the Province. Few
visitors of importance have been seen in Shiraz during the year 1936. The Minister
of Finance left early in January, promising to consider measures for the improve
ment of agriculture, trade communications, irrigation and the system of collection
of taxes, and a new era of propsperity was to dawn in which air-mail, Government
aid in all trading ventures, and the exploitation of the mineral wealth of the Pro
vince would play their part. So far nothing has materialised of all this except for
an order for two hundred carpets for use in Government offices in Tehran which
rumour has it have not been paid for.
2. The population of Fars is now said to exceed 400,000 of these, 200,000 are
tribesmen, 80,000 settled in Villages, and 120,000 in Shiraz. The population of
the town has increased in the last few years as people arrive from outlying districts
to seek for work. Much of the otherwise idle population has been set to work on
the building of barracks and military installation on which 50,000,000 rials are
said to have been spent.
3. In spite of the considerable wealth of numbers of the Shirazis, progress has
been slow in those things which are held in account to-day in Iran. Tnbal dis
turbances of former years have led to disfavour in the eyes of Government and
consequent lack of attention and support.
4. The visit of His Majesty the Shah to Shiraz, accompanied by the Valiahd
was awaited from the summer up to the end of the year without great enthusiasm.
The Army practised organised cheering in order that suitably spontaneous welcome
might be given to him. The Municipal authorities at one time showed feverish
activity in the preparation of roads and beautification of the approaches to the
town, but it was given out that no money was to be spent on decoration, doubtless
to the great relief of shopkeepers and others on the route.
5. As the Government enters more and more deeply into the every day life
of the people, the protection afforded from the attentions of former Governors or
tribal leaders is outweighed by the nuisance of restrictions. The Shah is probably
held responsible for this and is feared accordingly, while respect due for his organis
ing ability has been largely lost as it is felt that all the wealth of the country is
being attracted to the Capital. The policy of industrial development is, however,
realised to be of advantage to the Province of Fars which now has a lucrative outlet
for production of cotton for the spinning mills of Isfahan and Shiraz and of beet
for the sugar factory An East India Company trading post. situated 25 miles to the North of Shiraz, which is producing
supplies for local use.
6. The Qawam-ul-Mulk’s son married the Shah’s younger daughter during the
year. Though some of Qawam’s supporters hope for some advantage from the
union, it is regarded as an indication of Imperial designs on property in Fars.