Coll 28/120 ‘Persia. Ahwaz – Consular diaries.’ [‎207r] (414/669)

strength. A recent visit by british HIT itary pereomiel to
a post at Bandar Mashur disci osed the fact that it con
sisted of three men, instead of one ;?.G*0 jind six men. The
had left a month before as he had had no pay for six
months* 'The remaining men stated that they had had neither
pay nor rations for several months* The ^uristan-BurUjird
regiment, which should number BOO men, is 2Su under strength*
Both Colonel Mustashari and Colonel Ishqi, who commands the
Khuzistan regiment, are incapable and useless, but perhaps
mo more so than the general run of Gendarmerie officers*
The Gcamaander of the ^uristan-Burujird regiment, Goloxiel
Naini Nejad, was suddently placed en disponibilite and as
suddenly re-instated. it is said tlTat his dismissal was
due to the intrigues of the »(horramabad Deputy Siiujai, sane 5,
of whose-relatives were about to be arrested by Ha ini Hejad
for banditry, liis re-instatenent was due to representations
to Colonel Schwartzkepf, the ^anerican Adviser, fran the
American forces stationed at iShorramabad, who have found
Kaini Hejad very co-operative. There are many complaints
against the 0.0* Gendarmerie, Burujird, Tieutenant Karimi,
whose wife owns property near Dorud, and who is in consequence
much involved in local feuds and rivalries. The Governor
and G. o.G. 5th {Xuristam Division are agitating for his
removal* Some of the Gendarmes are believed to be in league
with Tur bandits and a Lur sergeant-major has Just peen
transferred in consequence. Popular feel ing against the
Gendamerie is growing and they now exceed the Persian Airay
in unpopularity.
3KA0TI0HS T O T hS D KiTh OP TiiE HX-ShAii .
(30^ Th^ news was received with mixed fe^l ings, in *
wiiioh sorrow did not predominate* In -^hwaz no signs of grief
were discernible. This was natural as the Arabs hid no
cause to love him. Similarly in Xhorramabad and Turistan *
satisfaction was more evident than sorrow* though two memorial
services were arranged, one by the Governor and one by the
garrison. In burujird the mullahs, who have considerable
influence, showed satisfaction at tne demise of oae who
has »o radically curtailed their power, and, on oieasicai,
shorn them of their beards. Those of the land—owning
classes, too had not suffered at his hands, togetuer with
some of the peasantry, expressed regret at his passing; this
sentiment being more due to a traditional reverence for
royalty than ! _ any love for the person of his late
Majesty. Among the Amy Officers there was a good deal of
regret.
POBIIC HSATTh.
(31). There have been no deaths from disease reported
in Ahwas this month.
b&ITIEh OFFICIALS.
v a ). On the X4th the G<jnsul—G^ineral left ^nhwaz for Bum-
gird. During the month he visited ilanidieii. Shush, Ali
Gudarz, Dorud, Shorranabad aid Ushturinsm.
(b;. On the 1st the Vice-Consul cans out of hospital, and
left xor hanaciiix on tne- 3nu, returning to Ahw&z on the I3th.
^c). vn jiie Bud tne Cracisul—General returned to Vhwaz frosi
Tehran.
(di* Cti tne 4th ^t.Colonel J.Te
retumed. to bumj ird frcci i-diwaa
sequently left for Tehran.
( e )* ^ 2 . the B-^cth -*r. Binrley und
Council, arrived in Ahwaz. ^r.b
cn the £5tii. -Ar• d’uid'or-d spent
wnioh ne visited Shusitar, aud
c food, P.A. lur is tan,
. Owing to illness he sub—
- -Ir.DiUiford of the British
mgjey^left for ieiorraashahr
tnree days in discing
left foz* Teitran on the 26th.