Coll 28/120 ‘Persia. Ahwaz – Consular diaries.’ [‎258r] (516/669)

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Securit y
(21) On 11th two IORs wern attacked hy 14 armed men
and looted, one tommy gun and o.,e rifle, with ammunition, being
take ♦ ^he Persian authorities have been requested to trace the
rulprits.
Miscellaneous
(22) The British Military in Ahwaz held a Red Cross
Week from 3rd to 11th. Persians contributed handsomely in
giving prizes for a big lottery, and putting their offering in
the collection boxes. The high spot was a race meeting for
British,American and Persian officers a^.d men, with one race
for Arab and Uagwand tribesmen. There were thirty five entries
for this last, prizes of sugar axid tea being given. The meeting,
which was very well attended by most Persian officials, the
staff of-the Russian Consulate and large numbers of the populace,
in addition to British,American and Persian soldiery, was an
enormous success, and enjoyed by everyone present.
(23) A number of Ahwaz merchants have combined to form
a charitable fund. This committee calls itself the Anjoman-i-
Khairiyeh Ja’fariyeh Ahwaz. They have agreed to subscribe one
million rials in monthly installraents over 20 months* It seems
probable that this is part of a counter offensive against the
Workers Union.
(24) Mr. Israel H'Oaeh appeared in this district this
month, to show his film on Jews in Palestine. He gave one
performance at a local cinema, for which he had also been lent
three newsreels by this Consulate; it is understood that some
360 people attended it, over 90% being Jews, One or two Persian
officials and four members of the Russian Consul^ te attended: two
or three other Persian officials went, but finding no seatq
reserved for them came away again. ^he Cinema in question is
permanently out of bounds to British troops.
Tribal
(25) Bakhtiari . The A.L.O. a. d the Acting Consul-General spent one
night at Aqili with Abdul Khan.Bakhtiari; his brother Hamid was
also staying there. Abdul Khax. told how he had visited Ab Bid
and had been very well received by Morteza Quli Khan, whg had
suggested that he himself visit Abdul Khan at Aqili for three
days. Unfortunately it looks unlikely that this will materialize
(see below).
(^^) Bakhtiari - Bahmai . The A.L.O* and the Acting Consul-General
went to Ah Bid on 14th, They found that Morteza Quli Khan had
that morning received a telegram from Tehran instructing him to
prepare for operations against the Bahmai a..d Taibbi (see paras
19 of Liary 1 and 29 of Diary 2) in consultation with Hurr.ayuni* He
has replied stating that he considers it now too late for operations
but he is prepared to carry out the instructions of the Government,
and will provide a Bakhtiari force of 400 foot and 200 horse to be
paid by Government at Rials 20 and Rials 30 per day respectively,
arms and rations to be supplied by Government. He would need 20
days to assemble this force. He taeijs that a Persian Array force
of at least 2000 or an absolute minimum of 1500 is necessary. He
is most clearly trying to avoid any responsibility for the operations
Humayuni who was seen the following day in Ahwaz, was equally
anxious to put th*> responsibility on Morteza. He also considers
it too lat'--, and the force of 1000 men authorised by m ehran inadequal
He is further concerned about the attitude of fh" other Kuh Gr lu
Khawanin, who by giving assistance to the Bahmai a. d Taibbi might
make the task of disarmament much more difficult. It is pcosible
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