File 2297/1919 ‘Persian Gulf Residency Monthly Reports. 1912-20.’ [‎387v] (779/1044)

Condition of
Country. j
Attack on Mon-
•ieur Constant.
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10
(b) He has since engaged, through the Agent of Shaikh Hus?,in Chakutai, 50
tufangchis from Ahmedi and Chakutah.
272. His Excellency’s carriage was recently approached while he was driving
home in a menacing manner by two er-sarbazes of the Malayer Regiment which
gave trouble here last year, who are at present in the employ of Masud-el-Mamalik
(Deputy Governor of Dashti and Dashtistan). They had come in to Bushire with the
alleged intention of buying provisions for their master. His Excellency has had
the men arrested and has also taken stricter precautionary measures for his own
safety whilst driving in and out of town. In addition to a mounted escort, tufang-
cbis have been placed at intervals along the road between his town residence and
his country house, a distance of some five miles.
Customs, 273. Monsieur Zwinne arrived from Bandar Abbas and took over charge of the
Customs and Treasury Departments on the 27th March, vice Monsieur Constant.
Monsieur Willemsens left on 28th March:n the “ Muzaffer ” for Bandar Abbas
to take charge of the customs there, vice Monsieur Zwinne.
274. A caravan consisting of 27 mules which was on its way to Bushire from
Shiraz, was attacked by robbers at a place called Bardoom. The robbers killed
one of the muleteers and carried away the loads.
275. (a) On the evening of the 7th (about 10 p.m.) while driving home from an
entertainment in town, Monsieur Constant, the Director of Customs and his wife,
were fired on by an unknown person, close to their house. The lady was mortally
wounded and died soon after, while Monsieur Constant was wounded through the
thighs. This attack appears to have been premeditated and there seems every
reason to believe that it was the work of a recently dismissed employe of the
Customs. One of the suspects by name Ali Khan has been arrested by the Governor,
and an enquiry is being held.
(b) The Governor also attempted to arrest Shaikh Shahab, another suspect
(vide paragraph 136). The man, however, apparently received timely intima
tion and absconded with the connivance, it is believed, of the Kaikhoda of Reshire,
who is a Tangistani.
It is reported that at the request of Zair Khadhar the Kadkhoda of Reshire
also connived at the escape of Shaikh Shahab’s family to Tangistan.
(c) His Excellency the Governor sent Abdur Rasul, the late Kalantar (vide
paragraph 140) to Z?,ir Kh?,dhar in order to endeavour to arrange the arrest of
Shaikh Shahab. Abdur Rasul, however, returned about the end of the month after
giving a promissory letter to ZairKhaihar to the effect that if the latter captured
Shaikh Shahab, a sum of 5,000 krans would be paid to him. Zair Khadhar is not
believed to have the least intention of attempting to capture Shaikh Shahab.
Gendarmerie. 276. With reference to the arrest of the two men mentioned above, namely
Ali Khan and Shaikh Shahab, the Governor’s hands were considerably tied by the
fact that both men were recently enlisted members of the gendarmerie, and their
arrest was rendered difficult by the situation which arose simultaneously between
the gendarmerie and their officers.
It appears that on the 5th, Major Brandel, the local Commandant, having had
reason to find fault with one of his men, had him stripped and bastinadoed. His
comrades about 160 in number together with 8 headmen, among the latter being
Ali Khan and Shaikh Shahab, thereupon refused to serve any longer with the gendar
merie, and demanded their wages. Major Brandel agreed to pay the men and let
them go, but declined to pay the 8 headmen. The men then assumed a threatening
attitude, held a meeting at one of the mosques on Saturday, the i 8th March,
and swore to obtain their dues or be revenged on the gendarmerie officials. On
the evening of the 9th, Major Braudel’s house was fired into and the following
day one of his Teheran men was waylaid and shot and wounded on his way back
from the Telegraph Office. Major Brandel then appealed for assistance to the
Governor who placed a guard of ten men round his house, and fearing further
trouble and danger both for Major Brandel and the European community in general,
paid the headmen their wages out of his own pocket and persuaded them and their
followers gradually to leave Bushire.