File 2297/1919 ‘Persian Gulf Residency Monthly Reports. 1912-20.’ [‎284r] (572/1044)

'° piii
Jr ' Us
^f| 8
ttie,
■ Or piott5
Jositio^
^stfs
aiai
tisratj
foie
i ycase
ycoji.
^one
'oh,
apii-
last
fOV-
l)er
h
sh
!
>t
a-
ini
!k
ioi
He
aim-
iaie.
itk
3 now
at last
laptain
12i.
17
Tehran. A little tact in the first instance and willingness to prepare new quarters
for the Karguzar elsewhere, which they first refused but since have consented to do,
would probably have secured their ends without the bad feeling which their actual
- proceedings have given rise to.
134. Some recruiting has been going on and His Majesty’s Consul was told
that men were coming in from so far afield as Ears. Latterly, however, Khabisis
have been accepted and Kermanis have been considered. Neither class is likely to
be particularly satisfactory.
About the middle of the month the strength of the force was 273, but what
number of these were non-combatant is not known.
135. Major Lychnell has placed orders in Cawnpore for a couple of hundred
saddles, but the reply that it will take four months to fill the order has given rise to
some discontent. His Majesty’s Consul has given him the names of various firms in
India from whom clothing and equipment may be procured, and telegraphed some
weeks ago for catalogues and samples. Some firms^have failed to answer telegrams
sent them direct by Major Lychnell. If in this way they lose custom, they will
only have themselves to thank. It was with some difficulty at first that the
Swedes were induced to try India before placing their orders in Europe.
136. Eeference paragraphs 1575 and 1576 of 1913. In the beginning of the Co ^ tion of tha
month reports were received from Bam stating that the Baluch “ Lashkar ” had
divided into two parties. One of these parties probably moved off towards
Kashit and Khabis, as raiding by Baluch was reported from that quarter. The
other party, finally stated to be about 400 strong, entered Budbar and Jiruft, where
they occupied themselves with plunder and murder.
The Zargham-un-Nizam on getting news of this raised a small force and went off
in pursuit of the Baluch, who had apparently begun to withdraw. He is said to have
come into contact with them but from the most reliable reports the honours con
tinued to rest with the Baluch, who killed several of the Zargham’s men and drove
off an enormous quantity of camels and cattle.
137 The Zargham made his way to Bigan, where he was furnished with supplies
and horseshoes by the orders of the Salar-i-Mufakhkham, Governor of Bam, who had
in the meantime returned to the latter place. Pursuing his way on, the Zargham and
his force camped and went to sleep one night in the Bud Khanah-i-Kinar-i-Nai
near Ab-i-Garm The Baluch fell upon them there in the night and slew 12 of them
without a shot being fired in return. They then made ofi leaving to the
Zargham some 2 000 sheep and cows which were too exhausted to be driven further,
and which presumably would be equally unable to make their way back to their
owners.
138 It is reported that the leaders of the original invasion into Narmashir were
Jahil Muhammad Biza Khan, Shakar Khan, Wali Muhammad Khan, and Agha
Sherdil Khan. The name of Shahsowar Khan has also been mentioned since.
It will be remembered that Wali Muhammad Khan and Agha Sherdil were represent
ed as the ringleaders in the raid into Tahrud, Sarvistan, etc., in May last.
139. At least two posts coming from Tehran were robbed on the road beyond k Option of the
®ezd, it is said near Nau Gumbaz.
140 The office of the Eastern Eug and Trading Company was broken into
on the night of the 26th-27th December by thieves, who broke open the safe and
carried off Krans 6,525 in silver and notes. The police made several arrests the
next day, including that of the Karguzar’s son, a known bad character.
141 His Maiesty’s Honorary Vice-Consul succumbed to an attack of gout early
in the month and has been confined to bed ever since, the entire medical talent of
Kerman having unfortunately failed as yet to resuscitate him. As the V ice-
CcS represents the entire staff of the Consulate on the vernacular side his pro
longed absence is a somewhat serious matter.
British Interets.
Miscellaneous.